So you voted, right? Here’s how to prepare for the election outcome
As we all wait for the 2020 presidential election outcome, we have to remember this is not a normal year and we need a game plan.
In fact, in a normal year, we’d already know who the president would be. But, 2020 has been anything but a normal year, so no surprise there.
So you voted, right? You did your civic duty, and for many of you, myself included, you felt a responsibility to vote this time around, even if you never had before. Take pride in the fact you did what you can. And take solace in the face that it’s now out of your hands.
So where do we go from here? You can stare nervously at the news, biting your fingernails until they’re bleeding, and wait for the election outcome. You can ask people around you “who did you vote for?” But ultimately, none of this is helpful in the post-election world.
It is completely out of our hands, and with that being the case, we’ve come up with a game plan for how you can maneuver through this weird and triggering time, regardless of the election outcome.
The election outcome will bring out the crazies. So, post up in the crib
Don’t start wilding out.
Tensions are high, and there’s a lot of people out there with less to lose than you do. Don’t give them a reason to think they’re being a martyr.
Take this time to find helpful distractions! If you can, delve into that creative outlet you’ve been meaning to get to for awhile (i.e. sewing, writing, recording).
Dive into that book that’s been collecting dust on your nightstand for ages. All those times you could’ve turned to your book, but you went for your phone instead, now is the time to do the opposite. Ain’t nobody realistically want to be on social media right now. You don’t need that stress in your life fam.
“First rule in this world baby: Don’t pay attention to anything you see in the news.” – Kanye West
The man who can’t seem to get it right lately… damn sure got it right a lot of times in the past. It’s why he’s the musical superstar and cultural icon he is right now.
Ye told us to not believe everything we see on TV, and he’s right. News channels fight for ratings, even if publicly they say it’s all about journalistic integrity. Money makes the world go round. For these media moguls, it ain’t no different.
Channels want to be the first to break news, and often this leads to inaccurate reporting. Especially when it comes to the presidential election results.
I hate to bring up such a harrowing example, but remember the misinformation that came out when the great Kobe Bryant passed earlier this year? Saying his entire family was on board the chopper that went down?
Breathe. Check on your friends. And then breathe again. We’ll find out the news. It just doesn’t have to be in record time.
No matter the election outcome DO NOT TURN TO THE SAUCE for your game plan
I may have had some rosé last night… so what?
We all had a thought about whether we were going to go sober election night or turn towards the bottle or reefer. Let’s not play dumb. That shit can help in the moment.
But only the moment. Especially as the bottle is concerned, it’s only down from there. Not to mention if the election outcome doesn’t play in your favor.
Today is a new day with endless possibilities. And we can only control what we can control. Don’t go down that bottomless pit, it’s not worth it.
If not for you, then for your close circle. They need you, just as you need them. Lean into that love and direction fam.
Don’t ask people who they voted for
After we find out the election results, please don’t ask people who they voted for. Realistically, what do you have to gain?
And believe me, I’m cutting off anyone that votes for racism, xenophobia, misogyny, corruption, and a plethora of other heinous actions.
But at this point, who’s to say someone will tell you the truth? And the overwhelming stress talking about the presidential race post-election takes is too big to let it drag you down.
We’ll find out who wins the presidency soon enough. Just like we’ll all find out who the people in our lives voted for by their words and actions in the coming weeks and months. This country is too polarizing to not be able to tell.
And really, if you’ve been paying attention and take your blinders off, you know who they voted for. You know.
Check who your homies “really” follow
It can be a fascinating-yet-harrowing trip down the rabbit hole investigating who your friends and acquaintances follow on social media. Do they follow Trump? Ok, but many people like and need to stay up to date on issues, so that can make sense.
But do they follow Ben Shapiro (yuck)? Do they follow Candace Owens? Do they follow Breitbart? These are questions worth asking and investigations worth solving. I don’t care if they say it’s just for jokes, it rarely is just that.
You can tell a lot about someone by who they follow, the trends in that search, and who they refuse to unfollow. Social media should not be taken too seriously, but it is deeply entrenched within the fabric of our lives.
There are few accidents here. If your homie is following Candace Owens, it’s probably because they want to hear what she has to say.
It’s post-election, all votes have been placed, and the outcome is yet to be decided. Take care of yourself in this stressful time. Hopefully, our game plan was able to help steer you in the right direction.