Navigating the current political landscape is tough. The constant barrage of news, the feeling of shifting ground, and the uncertain impact on our lives and work can leave us feeling overwhelmed and drained. It’s good to be reminded we are 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 is focused on energy use and it’s impact on the climate and she felt uncertain what the current political environment meant for this business. She was struggling with a sense of futility, unsure how to move forward.
Here's what shifted her perspective, these steps were helpful:
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 our core values are being challenged, even disparaged. It's okay to feel stressed, frustrated, and even angry. Allow ourselves
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 or trying to change them. By acknowledging feelings, we learn what we care about, and this can help us make better decisions about where to focus our energy.
2. Anchor Yourself in Your Core Values:
Our values are our North Star, our unwavering guide. My client's commitment to reducing energy's impact on climate change was non-negotiable. In conversations, she then expanded her perspective, recognizing that her work also delivers significant cost savings and what other types of businesses might be interested in this? Her values don't change, but how she expressed them can evolve. What core values are our guiding lights? How can we continue to express them in our life and work?
3. Embrace the Long View:
History teaches us that political landscapes are constantly shifting. These times feel exceptionally challenging, and 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 our values are our enduring foundation. Embracing the long view can help us not give up when we feel like we are swimming against the tide; we know the tide will change.
4. Reconnect with Your Passion and Purpose:
My client began brainstorming new avenues for her business, considered connecting with colleagues, and rediscovering her creative passion. The spark returned. This is where resilience is born – in the rekindling of your passion, the "why." Find or connect with those who share or understand our passion. What ignites enthusiasm? What problems are we excited to solve? Who might be 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 a variety of clients and businesses. This reframing opened new possibilities and energized her. How can we reframe our challenges to see new perspectives and opportunities?
The Resilience Formula:
Acknowledge emotions: Don't suppress them.
Identify & reaffirm core values: They are your compass.
Take the long view: History provides perspective.
Reconnect with your passion: It fuels resilience.
Reframe and reimagine: See new possibilities.
This process won't change the political climate, but it will empower us to navigate it with greater clarity and resilience. We 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:
Journal about core values and how they are being challenged or reaffirmed.
Identify one small action that can be taken today that aligns with values.
Connect with someone who is an inspiration or shares our passion.
Brainstorm three new possibilities for one’s work or personal life.
Remember, we have the power to respond not just react. We have the power to find our 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
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