This election was a doozy!
It’s also taken a lot out of us (us, meaning black folks…particularly black women)
Why? Because we’re tired and honestly, we’re done fighting, supporting, marching, standing up for, and holding spaces for those who will let us down over and over and over again.
In addition to being let down, I think it’s safe to say that we’ve felt this energy in the air since Vice President Kamala Harris accepted our nomination to run against Trump for President of the US. It’s an electric charge of energy that invoked a level of anxiety that I can’t even describe. The election was also charged with more than just politics; it seemed to pull at our deepest fears, hopes, and values. Regardless of who won, there’s a collective sense that maybe we all lost something more than just a candidate or an ideology. Many of us are left wondering, “Where do we go from here?” How can we pick up the pieces and find a sense of peace again?
How do we move forward when this country is more divided than ever?
How do we move forward when we’ve become disconnected from the bigger picture?
How do we move forward when we’ve let anger and frustration take over our happiness and peace?
If there’s one thing that this election made crystal clear, it’s that our society is splintered. Social media fed us curated opinions, algorithms further divided us, and we were more invested in being right than being kind. It felt like the Us vs. Them mentality became the new normal.
It’s okay to feel disappointed, angry, or even defeated—but we can’t let it consume us. Finding peace again means intentionally dialing back the noise, taking a deep breath, and refocusing on things that uplift and energize us. Happiness and peace have to be nurtured in our own little ways every day.
So how do we move forward?
We can start with staying mindful of the fact that real change is often slower, quieter, and doesn’t have to make headlines. Our families, friends, communities, and our own personal goals are still here, waiting for our attention. Reclaiming peace means not letting the result of this election consume our lives. We’re more than voters—we’re people with dreams, relationships, and lives to live. Reclaim your peace by focusing on things that are real and present in your life right now. Turn off the 24-hour news cycle, set boundaries with social media, and make space for mindfulness practices, hobbies, and the people you love. Let’s also take care of our minds and bodies, because they are a necessity. Whether it’s a walk, a book, a prayer, or a quiet moment, self-care allows us to show up better, even when the world feels heavy. We can also channel our frustrations into community work. Volunteer, get involved in community activities, or start conversations about local issues. By empowering our communities, we realize that change doesn’t always have to start at the top.
Speaking of communities, black women have long been the backbone of them, showing up at the polls, organizing, advocating, and building support systems, often without recognition or acknowledgment. Yet, when the dust settles, we’re often left to deal with the effects of broken promises and overlooked priorities. We’re heart-broken over the issues we fight for—healthcare equity, reproductive rights, educational access, social justice, and economic security—often fall to the bottom of the national agenda. This fight has caused collective exhaustion and a sense of being unseen. especially from our men who’d rather see a convicted felon lead this country instead of a woman who is super qualified for the job. I’m not even going to get into those who didn’t vote at all. They didn’t care to vote…what was done, OR NOT DONE, has happened. Moving forward, it’s crucial that we prioritize our well-being. Self-care, community care, and unapologetic rest are radical acts of resilience in a world that would rather have us silent or sidelined. We must continue to uplift each other, share our stories, and invest in the spaces that honor us.
At the end of the day, peace is something we create within ourselves, not something the world hands to us. So, let’s choose peace intentionally. Let’s find our way back to the things that matter most to us, knowing that our lives are shaped by more than any single election outcome.
