2024 Was Brutal: Be Kind to Yourself

Take some time for yourself. It’s been a brutal year.

The war in Gaza. The civilian casualties. The campus protests. The counterprotests and political theater. Charges of genocide. Arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court. The thin hope that a change in administration might bring about a small shift in US policy.

The drama around an aging president, unable to speak coherently without the assistance of a teleprompter. The calls to step down. The stubborn resistance. And then, at the last moment, acceptance .

The question of who would be the Democratic candidate, decided for us by the outgoing president. The surge of optimism. An inspired vice presidential choice. The endorsements from prominent Republicans. The encouraging polls.

The enthusiasm. The donations. The hours volunteering. The doors knocked on. The phone calls made. The text messages sent. The hopes raised.

The news that The Washington Post would not endorse a candidate in an election in which the First Amendment — along with democracy, women’s health, sexual abuse, and criminal behavior — were on the ballot.

A last minute poll showing strength in Iowa.

The election. Not just the electoral college, but the popular vote, too.

Then the fear. The dismay. And the questions.

How could this have happened? How could Americans, friends, neighbors have voted this way? How do I feel safe among these people?

Friends in shock. Students in tears. A therapist told me he had eleven suicidal clients in the week afterward.

It shouldn’t be this way. But it is. And now we have to face it.

We will.

But before we do, take some time for yourself. Rest. Read a book. Have lunch with a friend.

Put on your own oxygen mask first. Then help the person next to you.

For the next few weeks, a responsible administration is still in charge. Take advantage of it. It’s going to end soon and we’re going to be on edge. Or maybe just numb. So, while you can, take some time to get back in touch with your feelings.

Don’t let the trolls steal your joy. They’ll try to steal everything else: truth, security, human rights. But don’t let them touch your soul. They can only reach that far if you let them.

Don’t let them. The sun will rise and so will we.