Here, with you ❤️🩹
Journal prompts for post-election grief
I’ll be the first to say: journaling isn’t a silver bullet.
But it can certainly be a kind of balm in times of grief, fear, rage, and despair.
It’s incredibly cathartic to have somewhere to channel your big feelings and racing thoughts, even if it’s just on a piece of paper.
As Mary Oliver once wrote, “It is a serious thing just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world.”
What I’m particularly aware of today is that people aren’t posting the typical rallying cry or call-to-action. Rather, they are wanting to allow themselves to feel before they can move forward.
I think that’s incredibly wise.
Journaling is one way we can give ourselves this space. To feel. To process. To collect ourselves.
I’ve put together five journal prompts to help us begin to process our collective shock and take care of our hearts.
No need to do them today. They’re here for you when you’re ready.
How are you feeling?
Many of us are experiencing the beginning stages of grief: denial, anger, depression. Those are some big, big emotions.
I came across THIS post via Kerry Washington today and it said:
Inhale: I'm not foolish for hoping
Exhale: I won't rush from this grief
Inhale: I won't expedite my grief
Exhale: To alleviate this tension
In this writing exercise, I want you to explore the emotions that grief is evoking within you. Describe the range of feelings you're experiencing and how/where they are manifesting in your body. Label them. Give them a voice. Give them room to breathe and stretch.
What are your anchors?
What (or who) is grounding you right now? Maybe it’s your favorite song, getting lost in something you love, coloring with your kids, or watching the sunset. Write down your Truth. Make a list of the things that can help you stay resourced in the coming days (and years).
Find your circle / spread the love
Find your circle: Who can you lean on right now? Who will pick up the phone or answer a text when you need to talk about your feelings?
Spread the love: Who can you check in with to be an ear to listen or arms to hug?
What is in your control / out of your control?
In incredibly stressful times it’s natural to want to try to control, well, everything. Draw a big circle in the middle of the page and label it “In my control.” Label the outside part of the circle “Out of my control.” Fill up these spaces with acts/actions accordingly.
Action absorbs anxiety: What is something useful you can do today?
This prompt comes from an Instagram post Dan Harris (of 10% Happier) shared today. In it he said, “action absorbs anxiety.” — I love that sentiment. So, what is something useful or helpful you can do today? It doesn’t have to be big. Maybe it’s something small you can do each day. Even journaling counts as something useful you can do for yourself.
Okay friends, take care of yourself. And each other. 💗