TL;DR

• Learn proven strategies for managing political anxiety and uncertainty
• Discover a three-step ritual for finding inner peace
• Access research-backed techniques for stress reduction
• Join a community of women seeking balance and intentional living

In times of global upheaval and political uncertainty, many of us find ourselves carrying the weight of collective grief and disappointment. As someone who witnessed firsthand how political shifts can impact community progress, I understand the deep emotional toll these moments can take.

Many of us are processing big emotions after this week’s events – America’s rejection of an opportunity for modern democracy with a well-qualified woman at the helm, while we continue to witness several genocides around the world. When the world feels this heavy with change and uncertainty, it becomes vital to create space for grounding and self-care.

Today, I want to share a personal story and provide practical strategies for finding your center when everything feels off-balance.

The Weight of Political Disappointment: A Personal Journey

Post election morning, I woke up feeling the weight of it all and like this was Deja Vu for me all over again. See, almost 20 years ago and fresh out of college, I raced back to my island home to make my contribution to the region that I love, in the public service of the Virgin Islands.

I arrived at a time of incredible change for the Virgin Islands. A new government was elected with the brightest minds we had. They quickly started working and as a Communications Officer at the time, I will tell you – I was exhausted. Every week, something was being opened, new policies were being signed and we were being challenged to explore new ways to communicate to the public.

Significantly, they had managed to negotiate the most forward-thinking constitutional review since the early nineties. Needless to say, the territory felt like it was finally on mission and as a young person, I was excited to be part of that.

Then in 2007, we had an election and much to my surprise the people voted overwhelmingly for the other guys. The guys who “most of us” thought had no vision, who didn’t know how to manage an economy and frankly, void of ideas to match the times we were living in. It was a shock. It took some time to process, and many of us negated our responsibilities as citizens. Feeling dejected, we wanted to watch them fail.

Looking back, I recognize our mistake. In our disappointment, many of us stepped back from civic engagement, hoping to watch the new administration fail. By doing so, we failed our community. This lesson resonates deeply today as we witness similar patterns of political upheaval and democratic challenges worldwide. Within three minutes of scrolling Tik-Tok, how many, “I’m checking out, let them figure it out” videos can you count?

Research shows that political uncertainty can significantly impact mental health and well-being. In a recent article published by the American Psychological Association found that exposure to political uncertainty correlates with increased anxiety, depression, and stress levels. However, the same research indicates that establishing structured routines and maintaining personal agency can help mitigate these effects.

The WKND Ritual: A Practice for Grounding in Uncertain Times

Each Thursday, I send out my newsletter, WKND Rituals, that provides a simple ritual you can do to turn your weekend into space and time to slow things down, and return home to yourself. With the events of this week, in this blog post, I wanted to share our ritual for this week. Drawing from both research and personal experience, I’m sharing a three-step ritual designed to help busy women reclaim their sense of peace and purpose. This practice is especially crucial for those juggling demanding careers while yearning for a more balanced, leisurely life. Here’s the ritual:

1. Create Your Sanctuary

The first step involves intentionally disconnecting from the chaos. Even a 10-minute break from news and social media can reduce cortisol levels by up to 30%. Here’s how to create your sanctuary:

• Choose a quiet space in your home
• Turn off news alerts and silence your phone
• Set a timer for 10-15 minutes of uninterrupted peace
• Consider using soft lighting or natural sunlight
• Add comfort elements like a cozy blanket or calming scent

2. Ground in Gratitude

Neuroscience research published in NeuroImage reveals that practicing gratitude activates areas in the brain associated with stress relief and emotional regulation. Practice gratitude by:

• Writing down three immediate blessings
• Focusing on small, tangible details in your present moment
• Acknowledging simple pleasures like morning coffee or comfortable clothing
• Recording these observations in a dedicated gratitude journal

3. Choose Your Light

This final step transforms internal work into meaningful action, creating a bridge between personal peace and community impact. Ways to choose your light:

• Identify one small, achievable action that makes you feel empowered
• Connect with local community organizations
• Practice radical self-care without guilt
• Share your journey with others who might need similar support

The Power of Community in Personal Growth

When I reflect on my own experience, I now know that individual healing and community progress are deeply interconnected. Today’s challenges – from political disappointments to global conflicts – require us to be both grounded and engaged, and that in itself can be exhausting.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pace of life and the weight of world events, you’re not alone. My WKND Rituals newsletter provides weekly guidance as we are all on this journey to transform the never ending noise and chaos, to a more practical means for intentional living.

I invite you to sign up for WKND Rituals and receive weekly guidance for creating moments of peace in your busy life.

A Few Resources

In case you are looking for a few good resouces to add to your toolbox for taking care of yourself in this season, here are a few books I recommend:

• Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
• The Art of Rest by Claudia Hammond
• How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell
• Wintering by Katherine May
  

I want you to know that it’s okay to feel all your feelings while still creating pockets of peace. There’s enough on the internet encouraging us to be delusional about our circumstances, this is not what I am saying. I’m encouraging you to find your center so you can move forward with clarity and purpose; something I wish I had known to do, so many years ago.

I’d love to know how you’re finding your ground right now. Please hit comment and share your thoughts – this space is meant for real talk and gentle support. Your stories help us all feel less alone in these challenging times.

Here’s to holding space for both grace and growth.

Don’t forget to sign up for WKND Rituals for more.