Prepare Yourself: 8 Tips to Maintain Emotional and Mental Wellness Moving Forward

It's been an interesting week, to say the least- and we're only just beginning.

My feed has been flooded with so much content around what's been happening over the past week, along with the various emotions of people who are fearful, uncertain, and unsupported in today's climate in America.

Naturally, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of emotions being projected right now- which may be the goal. Remember, when you're emotional, you're not rational, which can lead you straight into traps that have been set for you.

If you weren't already aware of the true state of America, you should be now, and it very much feels like being in an abusive relationship with a narcissist.

With that being said, here's a list of 8 things I want you to consider implementing into your daily practice in order to not succumb to the chaos, begin to (or continue to) heal, and still thrive despite the trauma:

• Stay informed but know when to step away: Sifting through all of the information coming at us can be tiring and confusing, and not all information out there is good, or factual. Stay informed enough to have the information you need to move how you choose and be sure to fact-check information before becoming worried or emotionally invested in the wrong things. 

  
  

• Respond (only if necessary) and don't react: People who look like me, and others who are targets may be on the receiving end of more overt forms of antagonizing behaviors (it's never actually not been there though, it's just been hidden). The best thing you can do is not even engage. In fact, a lot of what we're seeing in the news and social media are tactics meant to disarm, antagonize, and invoke fear. The behavior we're seeing now is reminiscent of how when a narcissist feels threatened (by how empowered their target becomes) and is now in crash-out mode to get their target back feeling disempowered and dependent upon them. Simply observe - nothing more. In some cases, being strategic about your response to things is required, and when it is, be careful about how you share that information, and with whom.

  
  

• Be grounded in who you truly are: There are, and always have been, plenty of narratives and pejorative expressions floating around to attempt to label and marginalize others. Especially if you embrace peace and speak truth, you may be called everything under the sun in an attempt to get you back in line with the status quo, putting you "in your place". Allow words to just be words- they only carry the meaning you give them. 

  
  

• Create a daily practice that fulfills you: Avoid focusing all of your time and energy on negativity. Invest in your hobby, your financial freedom, your family, true friends- all things that fill your cup. This will require strong boundaries around your time and attention- have the courage to say no to anything- and I do mean anything - that is not worth your time or adding value to your life.

• Try observing society as an "outsider": A bonus that us marginalized folks get is the ability to observe from an ostracized position (neurodivergent and differently abled folks know this all too well). Can you see yourself outside of what is happening? This is also where separating your emotions from logic may be useful. What benefit is there to be emotionally invested in a toxic system?

  
  

• Understand emotional and psychological warfare: Yes, it's real. The little manipulative things people do to attempt to trigger you emotionally or destabilize you are not the coincidences they pretend they are. There is a big difference between how people who are being abused respond, and those who are playing the victim. Learn the difference, and support those who are truly in need of it. Starve others who are playing the victim of the attention they are seeking. With that being said...

  
  

• Don't believe every fake smile or gesture of comradery: Fake smiles, gestures of allyship, feigned interest, and even advocacy can be tools of emotional and psychological manipulation. For example, I'd like everyone reading this to critically think about the choice to publicize which companies are standing by DEIJ, and which aren't. What else might this be trying to tell us? 

• Understand how American society has been crafted to quiet the truth: In my recent article 5 Undercover Beliefs and Mindsets That Keep Us Socially Stuck, I mentioned that fear is the number one driver of most behaviors, norms, and ways of being in modern society. The fear of what people will think, the fear of what others will do if we don't comply, the fear of losing privilege, position, or possessions, and the fear of not fitting in are the most prevalent and easiest ways people are manipulated to abuse and harm others. The people who appear most privileged in this society are actually the most fearful, and that fear drives them to create norms, laws and social expectations that cater to that fear. The truth is somewhere on the other side of that- if we begin speaking truth, we will conquer the fear.

Please like and share with anyone you think would benefit from these tips.

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Hi! I'm Nicole, an organizational consultant and personal coach, who is passionate about inspiring the changes our society needs for all to thrive. Using lessons learned from my own experiences and challenges, I hope to help people within organizations by creating mentally, socially, and emotionally healthy workplaces for all. Check out the other resources on this site for more ways to do just that!