Navigating the current political landscape is tough. The constant barrage of news, the feeling of shifting ground, and the potential impact on our lives and work can leave us feeling overwhelmed and drained. You’re not alone. Many of my clients are experiencing this, and it’s completely understandable.
We all know the “shoulds”: cultivate mindfulness, practice self-care, limit media exposure, focus on what you can control. But when the world feels chaotic, those strategies can seem like distant ideals, hard to grasp.
Recently, I had a powerful session with a client whose business, focused on energy reduction and climate impact, felt uncertain in the current political climate. She was struggling with a sense of futility, unsure how to move forward.
Here’s what shifted her perspective, that may also be helpful to apply in your own life:
1. Acknowledge and Validate Your Feelings:
We started by acknowledging the emotional toll. It’s not just about disagreeing with policies; it’s about feeling your core values are being challenged, even disparaged. It’s okay to feel stressed, frustrated, and even angry. Allow yourself to feel those emotions without judgment. Why is this helpful? Because when we do not acknowledge our feelings, we are “stuffing” them and energy goes towards pretending we don’t have them. By acknowledging feelings we learn what we care about and we can focus energy on what better serves us.
2. Anchor Yourself in Your Core Values:
Your values are your North Star, your unwavering guide. My client’s commitment to reducing energy’s impact on climate change was non-negotiable. We then expanded her perspective, recognizing that her work also delivers significant cost savings. Your values don’t change, but how you express them can evolve. What core values are your guiding lights? How can you continue to express them in your life and work?
3. Embrace the Long View:
History teaches us that political landscapes are constantly shifting. Even when times feel exceptionally challenging, persevering can be exhausting and feel futile in the moment. Remember, we’ve weathered storms before, and we will again. Change is a constant and your values are your enduring foundation. Embracing the long view can help us not give up when we feel like we are swimming against the tide; the tide will change.
4. Reconnect with Your Passion and Purpose:
My client began brainstorming new avenues for her business, connecting with colleagues, and rediscovering her passion for energy reduction. The spark returned. This is where resilience is born – in the rekindling of your passion, your “why.” Find or connect with those who share or understand your passion. What ignites your enthusiasm? What problems are you excited to solve? Who might be your partners in this?
5. Reframe and Reimagine Possibilities:
My client shifted from feeling defeated to seeing new opportunities. She began to see her work not just as an environmental imperative, but also as a powerful cost-saving solution for businesses. This reframing opened up new possibilities and energized her. How can you reframe your challenges to see new perspectives and opportunities?
The Resilience Formula:
- Acknowledge your emotions: Don’t suppress them.
- Reaffirm your core values: They are your compass.
- Take the long view: History provides perspective.
- Reconnect with your passion: It fuels your resilience.
- Reframe and reimagine: See new possibilities.
This process won’t change the political climate, but it will empower you to navigate it with greater clarity and resilience. You can hold space for both the challenges and the possibilities, for both the frustration and the excitement.
We can be sad, angry, and discouraged and excited, aligned with our values, and connected to meaningful activities. This is how we build the resilience to thrive, not just survive, in any environment.
Actionable Steps for You:
- Journal about your core values and how they are being challenged or reaffirmed.
- Identify one small action you can take today that aligns with your values.
- Connect with someone who inspires you or shares your passion.
- Brainstorm three new possibilities for your work or personal life.
Remember, you have the power to respond not just react. You have the power to find your North Star and navigate any storm. Working with a coach during these times can be particularly helpful, please contact info@peghuntcoaching.com if you would like to schedule a free session.
©Peg Hunt, MS & Anne Garing, PhD