Surviving Election Night 2024: Our Plan for Self-Care and Staying Grounded

Like so many people, Taran and I are feeling the intense anxiety around this election. Without a plan, we’d likely end up glued to our screens, refreshing election results all night with no clear answer in sight. So instead, we’re prepping a strategy to get through the evening with a little more calm and a lot more connection. Here’s how we’re planning to make it through—maybe some of these ideas will help you too.

Create a Cozy, Calming Space Together

We’re turning our living room into a cocoon of comfort. Soft blankets, fuzzy socks, and our comfiest pajamas are a must. We’re layering on candles and an anti-anxiety essential oil blend of lavender, chamomile, and sweet orange to help keep the space relaxing. The goal is to make a shared haven from the outside noise, somewhere we both feel safe and warm.

Comfort Food, Made with Care

We’re big believers in comfort food, especially on nights like this. We’re making Chicken Tinga Tacos, letting the slow cooker run all day so the delicious smell fills the apartment. Preparing a meal we can enjoy together feels like a small, grounding ritual—and something positive to look forward to, no matter what’s happening outside.

Mindful Media Choices

Instead of doom-scrolling or bouncing between news channels, we’re lining up a feel-good TV marathon to keep us away from live election coverage. The Good Place or Ted Lasso are at the top of our list for their lighthearted warmth. It’s a deliberate distraction to keep our minds on something positive and away from the chaos.

Fresh Air and Fresh Perspectives

When we need a break, we’ll head outside together with our Fitbits to clock some steps. Our plan is a relaxed walk, with a rule to steer clear of political topics. Instead, we’ll talk about creative projects we’re working on or ideas we’re excited about. Just breathing in fresh air and focusing on the present is a small way to reconnect and recharge.

Set Boundaries with the News

One of our biggest challenges will be resisting the urge to tune into election coverage. We’re giving ourselves a rule: no turning on the TV for election updates until midnight. But if we need a check-in, we’ll allow ourselves a quick peek at the top of each hour on our phones, then put them down again. Setting these boundaries feels essential to avoid getting pulled into a spiral of worry.

Crafting and Creativity

We’re each diving into our own projects to keep our hands busy and minds relaxed. I’ll be crocheting lots and lots of butterflies for our goddaughter, while Taran will likely draw—her go-to for creative calm. Having something hands-on to focus on helps to distract us from the constant pull of the news. Each butterfly or sketch will remind us of hope and creativity—things worth embracing, even in anxious times.

Stopping the Spiral Before It Starts

Finally, when negative thoughts come up, we’ll write them down, fold up the paper, and stash it away for later. After we know more about the results, we’ll revisit them and decide what actions we can take for each concern, then destroy the paper. This way, we acknowledge our worries without letting them take over. This may also include screaming into the void, but we’ll be aiming to avoid that.

If you have any other ideas for staying grounded on election night, we’d love to hear them. Let’s take care of ourselves and each other as we wait for the results.