I don’t know what we’re going to need to do to get through this, but personally I am going to consider myself in a medically-induced coma while I figure it out.
I don’t know what we’re going to need to do to get through this, but personally I am going to consider myself in a medically-induced coma while I figure it out.
That’s how I feel over here in Germany, too.
I know I shouldn’t be shocked but I am. I… am at a loss.
hugs to all who want them.
I am so disappointed (to say the least)
I cried three times before breakfast: When I saw Beth for the first time (she got up before me). When I saw Noah for the first time. When North answered my text.
Up here in Canada – same. I just don’t understand how it can happen.
I am Puerto Rican. I have literally dozens of cousins who live in Florida who are celebrating today. I cannot even bring myself to open their messages, much less answer calls. And I don’t know if I can ever look at them again. They are tainted in my eyes.
I don’t understand this! What is the messaging like in Florida? Is everyone really just believing that he will bring home the cost of groceries? And they don’t believe the parts of dismantling FEMA, rounding up “others” to deport and verifying their documents later, and an end of public education??
I’m an American in Singapore. I was shocked when I heard and then disgusted when I heard the (male) teenagers at my kids’ school celebrating the win. And then mildly heartened when I heard all the other moms be just as devastated as I am. Then I came home and donated to NPR, and Gretchen Whitmer (2028, baby) tried to donate to Planned Parenthood but couldn’t I think b/c I am overseas? And then finally gave in and canceled my Amazon Prime subscription because I’m still angry at Jeff Bezos and I’ll just have to find another way to ship my picky AF 11 year old the Ensure drinks I can’t find in this country. Also, I drank a lot of alcohol. But it made me feel slightly better to do…something.
I’m the one who had a bottle of champagne in my fridge to celebrate Kamala Harris’ victory. Now I just have it in my fridge. Sigh.
My adult son told me 5 days ago that he was pretty certain this was going to be a repeat of 2016 so I guess I was partly prepared. They talk about how we are supposed to not judge others but I’m sorry, I cannot be a friend of anyone who voted for Trump. In reality, what constituency–other than the ultra wealthy and his cronies–benefit from him winning? The whole world will suffer because of this. Even Xanax won’t be of help.
I was shocked last time he won. This time I knew it was a possibility but hoped it wouldn’t happen.
And it did, and I am dealing with the fact that this is who we are. Or at least who enough of us are to make it happen.
I am trying not to give free reign to my fragile white lady feelings because I know people with less privilege have been fighting these battles for centuries.
That said, eff everyone who voted for him. They knew what they were getting, and they chose it. This doesn’t seem fixable.
” I am dealing with the fact that this is who we are. ”
This is where I’m at right now. The sad realization that the majority of Americans just aren’t good people. Good people would not have voted for this man. I spent a lot of my day cutting off contact with people I saw celebrating on facebook or instagram, including family members, with this message: “You are a terrible person. No human of any decency could have cast a vote for this man in good conscience. As such, I cannot in good conscience continue to have you as a part of my life. Attempts to contact me will be ignored and blocked.”
And then I blocked them. I deleted them from friends lists, I unfollowed, I deleted contacts. Any one I know who showed me who they were today, I believed them, and I took action to separate myself from them.
Then I donated to Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and tomorrow I will spend some time researching charities/outreaches that work with immigrants, POC, and LGBTQ+ people to see who else I should give money to.
Now, I’m going to pour a drink and just try not to think about it for awhile. I’m just so disappointed in this country, and so angry that there are so many people eager to follow this horrible excuse for a person.
*Free *rein*
I am not feeling particularly charitable. I want those people that voted for him to suffer the consequences of their actions. I don’t know that it is worth fighting any more. Burn the place down and maybe we can build it back better.
That’s about my same sentiment.
Just another voice chiming in to say YES. Just like 2016, I didn’t sleep last night. More than being worried for the future, I am just at a loss for how differently I see the world than my fellow citizens. Especially living in a red state, it feels very lonely to see what is happening and being horrified by it while many around me are celebrating.
I’m really struggling with how not to hate people right now. I can’t frame Trump voters in any other light than horrible humans who actively vote FOR hate, or as people so fkg stupid they believe INCREDIBLY EASILY DISPROVEN lies.
if they lose, they storm the capitol and try to overturn the government. when we lose, we are sad and sit back and lose our rights. how do we change this. i hate it.
I feel the same. And I hate my demographic because, REALLY WHITE WOMEN, 50/50? That’s WORSE than last time when I think 54/46 was the split.
And the EPA, FEMA, the ACA. We are fucked. Plan b has a shelf life of 4 years. Gotta get more.
I’m gutted. Went to sleep hoping the “red mirage” would be just that. Struggling to comprehend how much our lives will change, not only for my generation, but those that come after.
I live in a solid blue state, and a sanctuary city, I was very disheartened & disturbed to see how many more o of my fellow citizens voted red vs. 2020.
So much grief. So much sadness. So much lost hope.
Despondent. WTF is wrong with people.
Small mercies: the conservative man with a record of employing known pedophiles at a kids camp was defeated by a moderate woman for our school board in my deep red state. It was close though.
We must live in the same school district (at least I really hope this was not an issue in multiple school board elections). The school board victories are the only hopeful ones today, but they do really matter. Holding onto that, crushed about the rest.
I’m so sorry. For you and all of us. I don’t think we’re far behind you in Canada. Terrible times. We’ll do what we can. We’re still us.
Yes. Canadian here who also worries we are not far behind.
I live in the most conservative province and our premier (like a governor) is cut from the same cloth as your far right politicians.
As we slowly (and slowly is FINE!) emerge from the shock and anger and grief and disillusionment, don’t forget that small, local acts of goodness and courage still matter and – if anything – have MORE of an effect now than ever. It’s Swistle’s “drops IN the bucket” on a national level. Much love to all in these terrible times.
Nodding my head reading all these comments in solidarity and sadness that this really is who we* are. (*majority of voters in this particular election cycle, not all of us!)
I watched a TikTok video from a consoling white guy, and he was like, “Go pick some fights on Facebook today!” and I was like… no. Unfortunately, for even guys that stood beside us, this is going to be a long-term “find out”… I personally am never doing a damn thing for a man other than my husband and my male bosses who pay me. This was your choice, you can have it.
Black women, Indigenous women, the queer community… I will bend over backward for those folks. All my (small) energy and effort to those who will be affected.
Lobster, I am here for this
“Unfortunately, for even guys that stood beside us, this is going to be a long-term “find out”… I personally am never doing a damn thing for a man other than my husband and my male bosses who pay me. This was your choice, you can have it.”
And I divorced this year, so it’s just my dad, brother, and son (and some of my kids’ amazing friends)
This is my energy too, Lobster. My sister and I said basically eff men except spouses and family we can trust. Raising my boys in this hellscape to be allies. They are young, but they were shocked with the news. I wish I was more shocked. The GOP gets no more of my emotions or energy. I’m focusing on continuing ways I can help locally to those most affected.
Sad today, but I wasn’t optimistic to begin with. Best I can do for coping thoughts is that humanity has always been going through some hellish thing. Yeah, that’s not a very good one. I guess I can just try to do what I can locally.
I’m just gutted. I wanted better for my girls.
Speechless. Numb.
With all my might, I’m focusing every one of the few still-firing brain cells on our cat.
My parents dog passed away after a long, happy life this fall. They are old and were maybe going to hold out on getting a new one until spring. She told me today that maybe they need a new dog sooner rather than later. I think we all need something to cuddle right now.
Grieving from LibraryLand
I’m absolutely livid. And heartbroken that I have discovered that there are that many people who fell for his bs.
I know. I must have been more optimistic than I realized. I don’t know what to do either. I’m sorry. I love you.
I’ve been randomly tearing up throughout the day any time I think about it. This was the first year my kids sat down when my husband and I were filling out our ballots so we could talk to them about who the people and what the issues were that we were voting on (they’re ages 9 and 12, so not anywhere near voting age, but we wanted them to see what goes into the process). I was extra devastated today to pass on the news to them, and I couldn’t answer with anything good when they asked, “But WHY would people vote for him?????” There just isn’t any reasonable answer to why people would want him to run the country. I’m so worried about the Supreme Court judges he’ll get to appoint again and what those decision makers are going to do for our futures. It’s just mind-boggling and so sad. Today I’m giving myself grace to not get much done, and just eat junk food and play on my phone and hopefully tomorrow will feel less overwhelmingly awful.
I’m so sorry. Solidarity from here. We have also just voted in a pretty vile government. It’s sad and incomprehensible. I’m trying really hard to meet this with curiosity and trying to understand what is driving this movement. Demonising half of the country isn’t helpful for my mental health.
Thank you for a place to comment with like minded folks. I’m so tired and sad.
Sending love from across the pond. And I’m disgusted with our government for sending public messages of support to That Man.
I am at loss for words. Why oh why?
The media over here (Germany) is trying to grasp how this person seemed voteable, let alone AGAIN!?
Hugs!
I’d rather basically any other American be president than him. I really can’t think of anyone worse.
I’m upset on so many levels and nauseous. I’m sick of the lies, fear, disinformation, hate, and violence that he normalizes. He is anti-human and encourages domestic terrorism. Social media needs to be held accountable for spreading lies and misleading people from the truth. When he starts shutting down the free press, I plan to help hold the line.
Also, this feels different than 2016. Back then, I tried to go along with thinking maybe it won’t be as bad as I fear. Now I can no longer pretend that if he stoops to a new low, more people will recognize how awful he is and stop supporting him. Somehow, the opposite happened.
So mad, sad, and dissappointed in my fellow Americans. Its a slap in the face that ONCE AGAIN the self-serving bully in the back of the classroom yelling nonsense and childist insults is rewarded over the prepared, accomplished valedictorian and woman. Rest and hold your loved ones close for all the time you need. And then get ready to fight like hell.
childish
Thank you everyone. I too am sick from knowing how many people must just think this monster is…okay? And I really do shudder to think, what if JD Vance ends up president too?
I’m tired. I don’t want to fight but I also just can’t let the people I see happy with this outcome carry on like they achieved something great.
Last time, we just happened to have planned a Vegas getaway for Thanksgiving week. It was wonderful to sidestep extended family interaction until Christmas. I can’t recommend it enough.
This time I seem to be engaging primarily in retail therapy. Paula’s Choice had half-off facial cleansers, I ordered a bunch of clearance workplace-appropriate clothes to try on, and I got front row tickets to an affordable theatrical event in a nearby city in January. Right now I’m eyeing charming tea towels and T-shirts from the Bitter Southerner, also on sale…and wondering if I should make it harder to buy stuff using my phone.
Love to all of you.
The pink hats and marches seem like such an innocent time now. It’s hard not just to throw up my hands, give up, and tend to my corner of the world. Trying to do a lot of things that give me joy and avoid thinking about the future.
Community. Community is going to get us through this. Find your people, grieve with them, support them, accept their support, and then try to find joy and safety and peace together. Joy is resistance.