How to keep friends and acquaintances during the election season.
The relentless negativity surrounding politics lately has taken a toll on people's mental health and their relationships. You may feel exhausted and bombarded with outrage and division. If you're finding yourself feeling angry at those around you, or have started cutting off relationships, it might be time for evaluate if your strategy is bringing you joy or bringing you down. You can't control the political landscape, but you can control how you engage with it.
Let's be honest, your friends have terrible taste in something. Really consider if you agree with every single life choice the people in your life make. Probably not! Maybe you dislike their partners, question their fashion sense, or disagree on housekeeping habits. We all have differences, even with those we love. So, if you can accept those disagreements or differences, perhaps you can extend that same grace to their political choices. Just as you might hold back on offering unsolicited opinions about their personal life, consider doing the same with their politics.
We win by being different. Imagine a TV show where every character was identical – same face, same voice, same personality. Sounds pretty boring, right? It's no surprise that such a show would likely flop. Our differences are what make life interesting, spark innovation, and drive progress. Just like diverse teams bring a wider range of ideas and perspectives to organizations, diverse communities enrich our lives. Think about it: every time you've learned something new, it's because someone offered a different viewpoint or experience. Even the most successful people recognize the value of surrounding themselves with those who can expand their knowledge and challenge their assumptions. So, instead of fearing our differences, let's understand and accept them. After all, every main character’s idiosyncrasies make the show worth a watch.
Agree to Disagree. If political conversations or values are causing a rift in your relationships, it may be time to put that topic aside. Just like there are some friends you don't discuss your romantic life with, or others you avoid talking about finances with, politics might be a subject best left untouched. Shift your focus to shared interests and common ground. Remember the reasons you connected in the first place – those shared hobbies, that inside joke, the way you can always count on each other. Prioritize those aspects of your relationship and create a space where you can enjoy each other's company without the tension of political discord. Try redirecting the conversation to something you both enjoy so you can move away from those tense political topics. Sometimes, a healthy relationship requires recognizing boundaries and respecting each other's right to hold differing opinions.
Accept what you don't like. Human beings are complex creatures, full of contradictions and complexities. We all possess a mix of light and shadow within us. As a similar saying goes, he is who is perfect and makes no mistakes, cast the first stone. Acknowledging our own imperfections, mistakes, and even our less desirable qualities allow us to extend compassion and understanding to others. Embracing the full spectrum of human experience, with all its flaws and inconsistencies, paves the way for greater acceptance of those around us, even when their beliefs or choices differ from our own. Forcing opinions only creates more strain and defensiveness. If you can’t change them then find a way to live comfortably with them.
Release the toxins within. If you're feeling increasingly drained by the constant barrage of political negativity then it’s time to consider what you need to do to change your focus, thoughts, or behaviors. Anger at others (media, friends, political candidates) is like banging your head against a wall hoping it will hurt the other persons. You know you need to stop, but it's hard to resist the urge to engage in the endless cycle of outrage and division. Maybe it's time to take a step back, choose your sources wisely, and focus on things that bring you joy and hope. After all, you can't control the world, but you can vote, and control your own well-being.
Take a break. When someone's political views are causing you distress, creating some distance can be a healthy choice. This could involve muting them on social media, limiting your interactions, or postponing visits until the political climate cools down. Taking a step back can offer you the space you need to process your emotions and gain clarity on how to best move forward in the relationship. If you don’t like the political signs in their yard, avert your gaze. A little healthy denial can sometimes be a good thing, especially when the change in focus allows you to admire the other neighbor’s roses.
Relationship chasms. Political differences can sometimes illuminate deeper personal divides. If, after reflecting on the previous points, you still find yourself wanting to distance yourself from someone, it might be a sign that your values are simply too far apart. While it's possible to overlook differences for a while, significant events like elections can magnify those gaps, revealing that you've grown in different directions and no longer share the same core beliefs. It's natural to gravitate towards those who resonate with our own values and worldview. Perhaps this is an opportunity to reassess your relationships and seek connections that feel more authentic and aligned with who you are now. Time and experience can change us, sometimes pulling us apart, sometimes leading us in new directions.
You may have that one friend or neighbor who insists on bringing up politics at every gathering. The one who starts passionately debating the merits of fiscal policy while everyone else is just trying to enjoy the guacamole. You may even be that neighbor or friend! Either way, remember this: life's too short to spend it arguing with people you care about over things you can't control. So next time Uncle Jerry starts ranting about the electoral college, just smile, nod, and subtly change the subject to something everyone can agree on... like how adorable baby Yoda or Moo Deng are. Seriously, who doesn't love Grogu or baby hippo? There are many other topics about life we might be able to find common ground on and if not, there’s more people out there you can talk to that will fill your positivity ballot.