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A Time to Feel: Navigating the Range of Emotions After the Election

This has been a week. The results of this election have brought with them a wave of emotions—disappointment, anger, disbelief, sadness, maybe even hope for some. I want to start by sending everyone love. Whatever you’re feeling right now is valid, and I encourage you to honor it. It’s okay to feel deeply. It’s okay to be in a state of shock, to mourn, to worry, to be uncertain. If you’re feeling exhausted by the weight of it all, know that you’re not alone.

Before openly sharing my response to the election, I had to give myself the grace to feel my feelings fully, without the need to rush through them or return to "business as usual." Often, in times like this, we’re expected to push forward quickly, to keep everything running as if nothing monumental has happened. But this time, I chose to pause. I allowed myself to feel what I needed to feel. I journaled, cried, leaned on loved ones, took time to be supported and to offer support, cleared my schedule, canceled meetings, met with my therapist—all things that gave me the space to process.

Taking Time to Feel Completely

For me, it took time to let the reality settle in. I needed space to feel deeply, to acknowledge what this moment means before I could even begin to think about what comes next. It felt important not to rush through, to resist the pressure of “business as usual.” So I took a pause to center my emotions and experience them fully.

In this pause, I reminded myself: resilience isn’t just about pushing forward. Sometimes resilience is about allowing ourselves to stop, to honor our own emotional landscapes without labeling those moments as “weakness.” Over the past few days, I journaled, cried, leaned on loved ones, took time to be supported and to offer support, cleared my schedule, canceled meetings, and met with my therapist—all things that gave me the space to process, without the need to "be strong" or "hold it all together" for everyone else.

As someone who often finds herself being the container for everyone else’s feelings, I had to step back to create space to be the container for myself, first.

A Journey Through Grief: Processing the Election as a Black Woman

For many of us, especially Black women, this is more than politics or policy. It’s personal. It's a feeling that no matter how hard we work, we are told—sometimes in subtle ways, sometimes explicitly—that we are not enough or that we need to stay in our place, but always expected to save the day and pick up all the pieces. This election was a reminder of how deeply embedded these feelings are, and the emotional toll is real.

As I sat with my feelings, I realized I was moving through the stages of grief. And if you, too, feel like you’re grieving, know that it makes sense. Grief isn’t just about losing a loved one—it’s also about loss of hope, loss of possibility, loss of a vision for what could have been. Let’s walk through the stages together:

  1. Denial - Maybe it didn’t feel real at first. “Did this actually happen?” We find ourselves questioning, as if it’s a bad dream we might wake up from. This is a natural first reaction to any significant loss.

  2. Anger - You might feel anger at the system, at people’s choices, or even at the narratives that make us feel undervalued. This anger is valid; it comes from a place of care and desire for better.

  3. Bargaining - Many of us may have started to think, “If only things had gone differently…” It’s the mind’s way of trying to make sense of what’s happened, to find control in the uncontrollable.

  4. Depression - For some, this stage might feel heavy, like a cloud of sadness and helplessness that’s hard to shake. Take heart in knowing that it’s okay to feel this way—it’s okay not to be okay for a while.

  5. Acceptance - Acceptance doesn’t mean we agree or even fully understand, but we begin to come to terms with the reality before us. This is where we find our strength and look ahead, even if it’s just one step at a time.

For Black Women, This Is Personal

This experience was personal for many of us, beyond the political parties or policies involved. It’s a reminder of the unique challenges we face in the world and I know how this moment, even if indirectly, asked us to question our worth, our place, our power. If you’re feeling this, know that I feel it with you.

Women, but particurlarly, Black women, it’s crucial to remind ourselves that taking the time to center our feelings doesn’t make us weak. Instead, taking time to center ourselves and embrace our feelings is an act of resilience. Infact, we are resilient every day we wake up, face the world, and work to create change, even when the world around us feels challenging.

Feel Your Feelings Fully

It can be difficult to feel our emotions deeply, especially when we’re still required to show up in our jobs, families, and communities. But it’s essential to make room for your emotions without judging or dismissing them. Here are some gentle ways to process what you’re feeling, without judgment or pressure:

  • Take intentional pauses: Create breaks throughout your day to sit quietly with what’s coming up for you. You don’t have to label every feeling; sometimes, just breathing into it is enough.

  • Write it out: Journaling can be a helpful way to process thoughts and emotions, even if it’s just a sentence or two. Write down what feels raw, what feels hopeful, and what feels unresolved.

  • Talk or sit in community: Being with others who understand can be grounding. Whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a support group, sharing space can remind us that we’re not alone.

  • Allow for different feelings to coexist: Anger and hope can sit side by side, as can sadness and gratitude. Let your feelings coexist without pressure to “pick one.”

  • Find ways to ground yourself if you must show up: For those who must continue with daily responsibilities, grounding exercises like breathing techniques or quick mindfulness moments can help you stay connected to yourself.

  • Seek professional support if needed: Therapists and counselors are there to support you through challenging times, and their presence can be invaluable.

  • Give Yourself Permission to Rest – You don’t have to “do” anything right now. Resting, healing, and processing are essential parts of moving forward when the time is right.

Remember, feeling deeply and intentionally doesn’t mean you’re not strong. It’s an act of self-respect, a moment of honoring your humanity.

Continuing On Our Own Time, In Our Own Way

As we process and make sense of everything, let’s carry the wisdom that Kamala shared: Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn't mean we won't win. That doesn't mean we won't win. The important thing is don't ever give up. Don't ever give up. Don't ever stop trying to make the world a better place. You have power. You have power. These words are a testament to the work that still lies ahead of us, but a reminder that our voices and actions matter even when progress feels slow.

This moment is hard, but it’s not the end. It’s another chapter in our collective journey. Know that I see you and I’m with you.

Remmeber, we will continue the fight, but today, I want to give us permission to simply feel— honor every emotion without rushing through it, and to take the time to heal at our own pace. And when you’re ready, we’ll get back up and fight again, stronger, more whole, with a greater sense of clarity and direction to navigate the way forward.