Well, that title was pretty dark, wasn't it? I think right now our world feels a bit 'dark', with the ongoing pandemic, civil unrest, violence, and a great deal of uncertainty. It is everywhere and it can feel really heavy and, well, dark. Gloomy, in terms of mood.
I have heard a lot of chatter for weeks now about a countdown to the American election on November 3rd, 2020. Several media outlets and social media contributors have a daily announcement about the # of days until the election. Sounds interesting, but that number can also feel like a growing sense of dread for many. Myself included.
No matter where you are on the political fence or geographic location in the world, the American election this year will have a huge impact: more, it seems, than ever before in recent history. So, do we really want to remind ourselves each day of how we are edging closer to that day? It probably depends on whether you feel optimistic or pessimistic about your prediction for the outcome of the election.
I have talked in a previous post about the research on time perspective, and the importance of balancing our thoughts between time spent on past memories, living in the present moment, and anticipating future events, and today's post will bring us back to that, along with previous posts about optimism and pessimism.
Counting down towards anything, be it an election, a vaccine, a court decision, or a wedding day, a graduation, or a new job: all these need to be kept in perspective with the rest of our lives. Excited about the countdown? Great! Worried about the countdown? Understandable. Don't lose site of the events and people you have right in front of you. Today. Savor those things, even if you feel like your life is a shit show, find one thing you can say you are happy about or appreciative of today (a job, a bed, a place to live, food, cup of coffee, family). And then also, take time and energy to reflect on the good things you have had or experienced. Maybe your past is also mainly a shit show and it is hard to find some good, but there must surely be one: a person you love or cherish(ed), a day or year that was awesome, an experience that no one can ever take from you. Then, if you must, continue to count the days, but don't let it consume you, especially if you are dreading the end of the countdown. Keep it in perspective. What can you do after the countdown ends if the countdown results in good news? Plan ways you will (safely) celebrate. What can you do after the countdown ends if the results are not good news? Think about ways you can manage that news, too. Planning helps reduce anxiety, to a large degree. Action can mitigate our stress, so taking thoughtful, planned (legal, covid-19 safe) action can help you as you count down the days, but also as you think about what the future might look like.
Hang in there. It might feel like the world is full of divisiveness and chaos, and in many ways it is, but I am confident that the human race is bigger and better than this, and we will see better days. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
Be well, stay safe, and take care.
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