From the Confessionals: The Weight of Election Stress Is Clearly Affecting Us

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Well, America, the day we’ve all been anticipating has finally come. We held our breath, cast our votes, intertwined our fingers, and hoped for the best outcome. We fervently wished for a nation that would choose to embrace human decency and respect for the presidency. We hoped fewer bigots would cast their ballots and that more individuals who champion equality would show up at the polls. Above all, we yearned to replace a self-absorbed, erratic leader with someone committed to science and capable of guiding us forward in the fight against COVID-19.

However, as anticipated, the situation is far from straightforward. With Trump in the mix, the process is fraught with insults and falsehoods directed at his opponent via social media and a barrage of new lawsuits, because, naturally, every time he faces defeat, it’s labeled “unfair” or “rigged.”

Thus, the anxiety that has built up in our minds—tightening our shoulders and causing relentless headaches and sleepless nights—is still wreaking havoc on us. Donald Trump is, shockingly, not finished unsettling this nation.

So, we continue to wait. We wait for the final results. We wait to see what Trump will do next. We wait to witness the further damage he might inflict to divide us, spread hate, incite violence, and tarnish the integrity of a country he promised to serve honorably, but instead has treated like a colossal reality TV show for his amusement.

As I stay up monitoring the election, I can’t help but remember how four years ago I went to bed believing Hillary would win, only to wake up to entirely different news.

Confessionals

• Confessional #25804152: “I’m terrified to watch the election results tonight.”
• Confessional #25804057: “This election has me so on edge I feel frozen. I need to start taking care of myself again.”
• Confessional #25802282: “The pandemic and election are draining my spirit.”
• Confessional #25800148: “As the days shorten and darkness falls earlier, my depression and anxiety are soaring. I’m not sure I’ll make it through the winter, or even if I want to.”
• Confessional #25799712: “I’m exhausted from being sad all the time. I want this pandemic and election to be over.”

The stress from this election has taken a toll on our mental and physical health. We need to prioritize self-care and focus on our well-being once this turbulent period concludes.

• Confessional #25803980: “I’m looking forward to the election ending, yet I’m still not optimistic about what comes next.”
• Confessional #25803615: “I’m filled with anxiety for next week. Ready for the election to be over, but worried about the aftermath, regardless of who wins.”
• Confessional #25804031: “I’ve stocked up on supplies over the past few months. I hope I won’t need them, but I feel more secure having prepared, though the election still makes me anxious. I just hope there’s no violence.”

But even if Trump officially loses, can we truly relax? Can we take a deep breath? Or will he incite chaos, file endless lawsuits, and cling to his position in the Oval Office, refusing to leave? Anything is possible with him.

From November 3rd to January 20th, I wish I could just disappear. My anxiety has hit an all-time high due to this election. How did we arrive at this point?

• Confessional #25803974: “Let’s just get this election and COVID mess over with so I can reclaim my normal life! Actually, scratch that—I’d prefer to stay home without fearing for my life from either a virus or civil unrest.”
• Confessional #25803950: “I put my son to bed early and am now on the couch with my partner, drinking wine, watching the election results come in. No matter the outcome, I feel like I’ll remember this night forever.”

Some of us want to close our eyes and wake up in a few months when it’s all over. Others are glued to multiple news outlets, witnessing history unfold. Regardless, it’s consuming America right now, and we’re all feeling incredibly anxious.

• Confessional #25803253: “My mother-in-law is gravely ill but has placed all burdens on my husband. He’s become bitter and angry during this election season, especially since he supports Trump and is upset that I voted for Biden. I’m not sure if our marriage will survive this.”
• Confessional #25803220: “My husband barely speaks to me because of the election.”
• Confessional #25800476: “This election is tearing my marriage apart. We don’t see eye to eye, and it’s creating so much stress. My husband idolizes Trump, and I can’t fathom why. It disgusts me. We have daughters, and I worry about their future.”
• Confessional #25800091: “I realized how few true friends I had when I struggled to find more than a couple of people to confide in as the election approached.”

Regrettably, the 2020 election has driven families apart and strained relationships, leaving some with little hope for reconciliation. Healing will be necessary once this period comes to a close. Bridges will need rebuilding, and amends will have to be made to mend the rifts this administration has caused.

It’s been a long time since our country has been this divided, and there’s a lot of work ahead. Hopefully, the first step will be the formal removal of an orange monster, replaced by a leader who embodies civility and humanity. Perhaps then, once he’s gone—and Twitter somehow permanently blocks him—we can finally take a breath and feel some of our election-induced anxiety melt away.

For more insights, check out our post on home insemination, which discusses navigating personal relationships during turbulent times.

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Summary:

The anxiety surrounding the 2020 election has taken a significant toll on Americans, affecting mental and physical health. With the ongoing uncertainty and the divisive nature of the political climate, many are struggling to cope. Relationships are strained, and families are divided as the nation awaits final results. There is a collective desire for healing and a return to civility, but the road ahead remains uncertain.