The political environment today is one that’s heavily dependent on negativity and the dramatization of personal character. Whatever the reason is that has caused this progressive climb of contempt and hate, it’s hard to argue against its existence. Almost everyone can feel it—the political anxiety, the anger and outrage, the loss of hope—it’s prominent at just about every turn. As something that affects our everyday lives, politics should not feel this way all the time. It should not be the chronic stressor that it has turned into.
It’s easy to get lost in the messy world of politics, muddled with thousands of opinions, saturated with a constant sewage stream of misinformation, clickbait, and propaganda; there’s just no way someone can drink such a large ocean of information at once. Diving into politics can lead to feelings of depression, isolation, fatigue, anxiety, and anger for those who can’t find their way back to the surface. It can make someone feel like their voice doesn’t matter, that they can do nothing and that everything is out of their control. Fortunately, there are ways to regain your footing.
For starters, know who you are outside of your political beliefs. Have something to do when you need to disengage and take a breather. You never want too much of anything, and that applies to political engagement. Learn skills, try new hobbies, see and live in the huge world that’s outside of the political sphere. Breaks are great for improving mental health and relieving political stress, so go outside, take a walk, or finally go to that movie you were wanting to see. Remembering who you are does not mean removing your personal political values; it simply means knowing the person you are when politics isn’t in the picture.
Although breaks aid those who submerge themselves too deeply into politics, the opposite can be said to those who never even dip their toe in. Politics are important to know and understand, as it is the governing body that controls a lot of aspects in your life. Decisions being made and events occurring right now affect you and the people you care about, so don’t let yourself be completely ignorant to them. Ignorance breeds misinformation, and not engaging at all in politics can amplify the feeling of powerlessness.
Remember that political participation is more than just the federal government. It’s your community, your city council, your state governments. The more local you go, the more it’s going to affect your daily life. Being politically active doesn’t have to feel like a devout attachment. Being active can mean many different things: voting, attending protests, informing yourself on current events though reputable means, and even just thoughtful political discussion.
At the end of the day, it comes down for what works for you. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else. Maybe the only political engagement that you can bring yourself to do is to vote, and that’s okay. Maybe politics is of great interest to you and you love what it entails, and that’s okay too. Just know your personal limits and your mental state as well. Be sure to stay informed of the world you’re living in and allow yourself to really digest news you’re seeing. Politics is intimidating, but it’s the power of understanding that can make swimming through politics possible.
