Election Stress Management - Your Safety Matters
Also provisioning + kindness. And maybe a get-together for joy...
Hello! :) I’m Nospheratt, and this is Joy Every Week - a weekly quest to find joy in everyday things. You’re receiving this either because you subscribed or someone forwarded it to you.
Today is a not an easy day, at least for me.
I’m feeling restless, anxious, lost. I know many of you are also feeling the weight of it.
But like I’ve said: we shall not despair. Let’s keep hope close to our hearts; let’s look for the light; let’s see how we can get through the next few days.
We’re working on a personalized plan to manage our stress and anxiety, and take the best care we can of ourselves.
The plan is divided in 5 areas:
Safety Matters - today’s focus
Community
Body comfort
Self-Care
Personal Safety
I hate that this is a thing, but I have to ask: if things get ugly, will you be safe? Your family, friends, neighbors?
I know this sucks. I really hope I’m overthinking. But especially if you’re a trans/queer person or part of a trans or queer family, it’s best to be prepared. Just in case.
Some things to think about:
What to do if there are disturbances near your home or workplace
How to stay communicated and informed
If you’re voting in person, please take precautions to stay safe. For example:
Best Practices for Personal Safety
Avoid Crowds: If possible, avoid large gatherings, especially in politically charged areas. Consider voting during off-peak hours to reduce exposure to crowds.
Stay Informed: Monitor local news and official communications for updates on potential threats or disruptions.
Plan Ahead: Have a clear plan for arriving at and departing the event and consider avoiding areas where protests or counter-protests are expected.
Be Prepared: Keep emergency contacts, including local authorities, readily accessible. Be aware of your surroundings, follow all security procedures, and know the nearest exits.
Respond to Incidents: In case of a security incident, leave the area immediately and contact the local authorities. If at home or work, secure your location and monitor official updates.
—US General Elections: Safety and Preparedness Guide for Organizations and Individuals
Dealing With Harassment or Suppression
Save this image (and/or its Alt text) to your mobile device. If you experience or see intimidation, harassment, or suppression of voters at a polling site, call the number for your state, or the national number. If you are turned away at the polls, ask to vote by provisional ballot per federal law. - Source: David Mack
Provisioning
I’m a “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst” kind of person.
So let’s do some provisioning.
Provisioning means (for me; I got it from Havi), preparing for some upcoming event. Acquiring provisions necessary for a journey, whether you’re traveling or not.
Today is already HARD; tomorrow is going to be even harder; and whatever the result, you’re probably going to be stressed regardless. So whatever you can do today to ease your daily life the next few days, do it. You’ll be happy you took time to take care of yourself.
What do you need to traverse this week?
Groceries — Try to order online, or go to the store today. I’d avoid going out tomorrow except for voting and anything unavoidable.
Meds — Are you stocked up on anything you or your family may need?
Think about food. What would be really comforting? What are you going to crave when your nervous, what helps your soul return to your body when you’re scared? Comfort food is the word of the week! If you can, prepare something today so you don’t have to do it tomorrow. It would be one less thing to worry about. (Unless you really enjoy cooking, which can be a good distraction in that case.)
Stock up on small joys. Have your favorite books, movies, blankets and beverages close at hand. Anything that will help you take breaks from the dread and anxiety.
Charge your electronics. For the love of all that’s unholy, keep your phone and electronics charged. You never know when you may need them.
Kindness.
Hey everyone! Just a reminder that a lot of folks - especially but not limited to queer folks and women and other marginalized people - will be on absolute red alert high anxiety this week and operating at reduced capacity. If you are in a position to cut someone some slack, do it. —Clark Valentine
We really need kindness in these harrowing days.1 So, first of all, be kind to yourself. Give yourself the understanding and grace you give your friends and the people you love.
And as much as you can, extend that grace to others.
Make a list of people you want to check-in with, either for their safety or yours; or just for company. Keep the list easily accessible on your phone.
Reach out; send a kind word, let them know you’re thinking of them. Tell them they’re not alone. Ask for help, for company, for support.
Tomorrow I’ll send you a list of simple things you can do to take care of your body and your mind, lower your anxiety and… survive the day. <3
On a lighter note:
I’ve been thinking on doing some sort of virtual get-together where we could spend an hour or so working on personal joy-filled projects — like your own Joy Box, Personal Archive of Joy, or anything you’d like to do.
Perrsonally, I want to use a notebook I found forgotten in a drawer to create some sort of Winter Holidays Joy Planner/Journal. This one:
Would you be interested in joining me for something like this? Please let me know! I really really want to do it, but I don’t want to do it alone. 😂😃
That’s It For Today.
Always remember: you’re not alone in this.
I am here. —Nospheratt
Of course I’m not talking about nazis, magas and assorted right-wing assholes. They can go fuck themselves.
Perfect timing for this post!
I would be interested in joining you for your project!