My partner and I joined a boxing gym the day it was announced he won. We’ve gone several times over the last week and punching the shit out of a bag has been deeply cathartic. I still have moments of ugly sobbing into my morning granola but I have found ways to expel some of the anger and grief. As a wilderness lover I have also found myself in the middle of the woods letting out a scream so loud it felt like it shook my body and everything around me. I’m going unapologetically bat shit banshee these days.
Sitting in the sunny corner of my kitchen, reading your Substack. Exhausted, but feeling slivers of possibility and hope showing up, remembering that finding the resilience and grit to keep going also requires rest and community care in large doses. ☀️🙏🏽
I went to see the band La Luz last week. Very fun all-lady band and a much needed breath of fresh air Thursday after the election. When they finished playing the first song, the lead singer said she was going to play her guitar as loud as she could for 30 seconds and offered us the time to scram as loud as we wanted to. I don't think I've ever screamed so loudly in my life! I was channeling a banshee. It went from high pitch and piercing to guttural and terrifying. It felt like a cleansing or a baptism. Highly recommended.
Thank you so much Liz for writing this! It's important for everyone to know that we're not alone with these feelings.
There hasn't been enough discussion about the physical reaction to the election. Even being part of the rights target demographic (a 21 year old, single, cis-het-white guy). I couldn't help but be physically ill (although not to the level of women and minorities of course). I did not sleep for two days and violently vomiting on the 6th. It's good and bad to know that I'm not alone in feeling like crap post results.
Reading this post has been very therapeutic and overall cathartic. You're only punishing yourself by not treating yourself. Lately I've been binge re-watching Letterkenny, and it's so much easier now to get back to normal again.
As hard as it is to understand why people would follow him, this isn't a new pattern of behavior for humans. Once you accept that no one is "built different" and that humans in the developed liberal democratic west are fundamentally the same as those in North Korea or the Weimar Republic, or hunter gatherers on the savanna lands are all fundamentally the same it is less surprising when you have a "it can happen here" realization like this.
Democracy is a fragile state, and it's something of a miracle that the US has managed to be as democratic as it has, even noting how poorly people of color and women have been (and continue to) be treated.
Speaking of unpleasant but important, I sent you (Liz) an important message on here, and a few other places. i don't need any interaction but if you could confirm that you saw it that would really help my anxiety.
I made a playlist to keep the vibes high featuring Yaeji - Waking up Down, and also by Yaeji - Done (Lets get it) ; <3 i hope we will raise each other up , and find ways to break and mend the cycles <3
I turn on a YouTube video every night after work that has an Autumn + slow Jazz vibe, then I sit and read for a bit until I'm ready to make dinner. Just generally slowing down and spending less time on Instagram.
I am deeply connecting with nature, we live on 16 acres with a long view to a gorgeous part of Lake Huron. I am talking with people, listening and validating/normalizing women's experiences when they tell me they are distraught, angry, scared - all the things. Loving and appreciating all of your shares and wisdom Liz. It REALLY helps.
And then there is the goddess Maya Angelou, whose quote I keep front and centre right now:
“You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn’t do anything to the object of its displeasure. So use that anger. You write it. You paint it. You dance it. You march it. You vote it. You do everything about it. You talk it. Never stop talking it.”
Hell yes to this and thank you Liz, for providing a place to keep talking it!!
The few things you've put out since the election have been among the most uplifting things I've read/heard while also being honest. After the results I found myself feeling all the complicated feelings lots of people are feeling, but then also judging myself for my reaction because I'm not even an American, I don't even LIVE in America! (Barbados, island girl) But your reflections have been great reminders to honour the hope we can all hold, nationalities aside, and the pain of hope deferred.
New follower over here on your substack which I discovered after Synced's ending.
what is one thing that you’ve done that felt good?
My partner and I joined a boxing gym the day it was announced he won. We’ve gone several times over the last week and punching the shit out of a bag has been deeply cathartic. I still have moments of ugly sobbing into my morning granola but I have found ways to expel some of the anger and grief. As a wilderness lover I have also found myself in the middle of the woods letting out a scream so loud it felt like it shook my body and everything around me. I’m going unapologetically bat shit banshee these days.
boxing seems like the perfect sport to take on you’ve influenced me!!
I've been bringing food to people. To the teachers at my kids' school and to my workplace.
I saw Aimee Mann in concert with Jonathan Coulton. The concert was great and it was just great to be in a room full of good and decent people.
I am trying to get enough sleep. Also doing some rage-cleaning and purging of junk I have held onto too long.
Sitting in the sunny corner of my kitchen, reading your Substack. Exhausted, but feeling slivers of possibility and hope showing up, remembering that finding the resilience and grit to keep going also requires rest and community care in large doses. ☀️🙏🏽
your voice note to me ❤️🥹
You owe zero apologies. We are all grieving, that looks different for everyone.
For me it’s sitting in front of the fire drowning in Phoebe Bridgers. Which, in an emotionally cathartic way - feels good!
best soundtrack to this week ever!
Five Finger Death Punch is also a great soundtrack to this week as well. Especially the song "The End", that really captures the whole zeitgeist.
I went to see the band La Luz last week. Very fun all-lady band and a much needed breath of fresh air Thursday after the election. When they finished playing the first song, the lead singer said she was going to play her guitar as loud as she could for 30 seconds and offered us the time to scram as loud as we wanted to. I don't think I've ever screamed so loudly in my life! I was channeling a banshee. It went from high pitch and piercing to guttural and terrifying. It felt like a cleansing or a baptism. Highly recommended.
i love this maybe we all need scream therapy
Thank you so much Liz for writing this! It's important for everyone to know that we're not alone with these feelings.
There hasn't been enough discussion about the physical reaction to the election. Even being part of the rights target demographic (a 21 year old, single, cis-het-white guy). I couldn't help but be physically ill (although not to the level of women and minorities of course). I did not sleep for two days and violently vomiting on the 6th. It's good and bad to know that I'm not alone in feeling like crap post results.
Reading this post has been very therapeutic and overall cathartic. You're only punishing yourself by not treating yourself. Lately I've been binge re-watching Letterkenny, and it's so much easier now to get back to normal again.
i’m so sorry you’ve been sick!! glad you’re taking care of yourself!!!
As hard as it is to understand why people would follow him, this isn't a new pattern of behavior for humans. Once you accept that no one is "built different" and that humans in the developed liberal democratic west are fundamentally the same as those in North Korea or the Weimar Republic, or hunter gatherers on the savanna lands are all fundamentally the same it is less surprising when you have a "it can happen here" realization like this.
Democracy is a fragile state, and it's something of a miracle that the US has managed to be as democratic as it has, even noting how poorly people of color and women have been (and continue to) be treated.
Speaking of unpleasant but important, I sent you (Liz) an important message on here, and a few other places. i don't need any interaction but if you could confirm that you saw it that would really help my anxiety.
I’m re-listening to David Sedaris books on Audible. His wit, humor, and absurdity is exactly what I need!
i have every single book time for a re-read!
I made a playlist to keep the vibes high featuring Yaeji - Waking up Down, and also by Yaeji - Done (Lets get it) ; <3 i hope we will raise each other up , and find ways to break and mend the cycles <3
yes thank you music has been such a gift during these times.
Five Finger Death Punch is also a great soundtrack to this week as well. Especially the song "The End", that really captures the whole zeitgeist.
I turn on a YouTube video every night after work that has an Autumn + slow Jazz vibe, then I sit and read for a bit until I'm ready to make dinner. Just generally slowing down and spending less time on Instagram.
omg i listen to that video too 😂
Amen.
I am deeply connecting with nature, we live on 16 acres with a long view to a gorgeous part of Lake Huron. I am talking with people, listening and validating/normalizing women's experiences when they tell me they are distraught, angry, scared - all the things. Loving and appreciating all of your shares and wisdom Liz. It REALLY helps.
And then there is the goddess Maya Angelou, whose quote I keep front and centre right now:
“You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn’t do anything to the object of its displeasure. So use that anger. You write it. You paint it. You dance it. You march it. You vote it. You do everything about it. You talk it. Never stop talking it.”
Hell yes to this and thank you Liz, for providing a place to keep talking it!!
The few things you've put out since the election have been among the most uplifting things I've read/heard while also being honest. After the results I found myself feeling all the complicated feelings lots of people are feeling, but then also judging myself for my reaction because I'm not even an American, I don't even LIVE in America! (Barbados, island girl) But your reflections have been great reminders to honour the hope we can all hold, nationalities aside, and the pain of hope deferred.
New follower over here on your substack which I discovered after Synced's ending.