ICYMI: Summary of our Coping with Political Distress Workshop

On December 8, Amanda and April were honored to host a virtual workshop: Self-care x Contribute: A Workshop for Coping with Political Distress. In this community meeting, we discussed ways to skillfully move through a time of cultural and political uncertainty. Below are some of the main discussion points in case you wanted to attend and couldn't!

Our intention was to create a space where people could feel heard, validated, and less alone amid an increasingly unsettling political and cultural climate. Together, we reflected on regulation strategies that help us stay grounded and identified meaningful ways to contribute, both on a personal level and within our broader communities.

From the work of Tricia Hersey, we explored the idea of rest as resistance. We examined the systems that have shaped our beliefs about rest, the fears that emerge when we consider slowing down, and the possibilities that open when we intentionally invite rest into our daily lives. Participants shared mindfulness practices and self-care techniques that help cultivate a more restful way of being.

We also discussed joy as resistance. The idea is that intentionally seeking small moments of pleasure and connection strengthens our capacity to navigate difficult emotions. We named the importance of allowing ourselves to smile, laugh, and experience joy, even in times of collective distress.

Another focus was the role of interpersonal effectiveness in setting and maintaining boundaries. We explored how to communicate limits with clarity and compassion, as well as how to honor the boundaries of others when they differ from our own.

Finally, we spent time with the DBT skill Contribute, recognizing its value both as a distress tolerance strategy and as a way to participate in meaningful change. Participants shared the various ways they show up for their friends, families, and communities. 

We have compiled a list of ways our community can contribute: 

• Showing up as a safe individual for others

• Shopping local

• Donating food and clothes

• Writing letters to elderly individuals through “Love for our Elders”

• Voting

• Calling representatives

• Attending City Council meetings

• Connecting with foster care-supporting agencies for volunteering and donating (e.g.: Honey from the Rock - the Cleveland Foster Care Closet)

• Pattie Gonia: https://share.google/9PClgFBIiHZoikrqM

• Unitarian Universalist Orgization: https://www.uua.org/