Post-Election Grief: Holding Sacred Space for Deeply Painful Emotions

Photo credit: Pavel Danilyuk

Many of us are experiencing a range of painful emotions and resilience fatigue following the recent election results. The validity of these emotions and feelings cannot be overstated. In times like this, it's easy to overlook the power of slowing down and sitting with our pain. We often rush to action without recognizing the value of acknowledging our emotions and giving them the space they deserve.

The journey through grief and sorrow is neither linear nor a process that fits neatly into a predetermined timeline and is further complicated when being actively harmed by systems of oppression. We need to grant ourselves permission to experience our emotions and navigate our feelings at our own pace. As Harryette Mullen expressed, "I'll be emotionally disturbed for as long as it takes." This sentiment echoes the importance of embracing our emotions, allowing them to ebb and flow as needed.

Every moment of anger and sadness, every tear shed, is valid. We don't have to rush through our pain or feel pressured to mobilize right away. We have the right to grieve, to feel the weight of our emotions without judgment or constraint. We have been strong and resilient for generations. Holding sacred space for our feelings and allowing ourselves rest does not change that.

In a society that often urges us to “get over” our collective traumas, it's radical to prioritize our emotional wellness, choosing tenderness and compassion for ourselves and others. As @blackliturgies aptly pointed out in a recent Instagram post, "Feeling is no small act of resistance in a country that benefits from our numbness.”

Photo credit: Vonecia Carswell

So, let us give ourselves the grace to feel deeply and extend that empathy to those around us who are hurting. Reach out to loved ones, share our vulnerabilities, and create a community of support and understanding. In our collective healing lies the power to overcome.