The Longest Year

I was at a gathering recently where several people noted how stressed they were about the upcoming election and wondering how long they could get through another 70 or so days of whatever THIS is. We managed to pull through the worst of the pandemic years, but 2024, with all its noise, drama, and nonsense, is officially the Longest Year Ever.

With Project 2025, Donald Trump and crew have made it clear they want to take over the levers of government not to help We The People, but to help Themselves. They’ll find new ways to grift off the taxpayers, turn the Justice department and military into their playthings, eliminate essential departments. Ever-mindful of his galaxy-sized ego, Trump is planning revenge on any person or entity he feels has wronged him; he literally has a self-styled “Secretary of Retribution” in his orbit.

I’m exhausted just writing this.

Trump has been a political presence for nearly a decade. His signature toxic behavior has affected our society more than we’d like to admit. Frankly, we’ve been in an abusive relationship. And through this election cycle, it’s gotten worse. But we have to push on to ensure that relationship ends once and for all.

As we work to ensure that Trump/MAGA never sets foot in any place of power ever again, balance those efforts with smart self-care. Here are a few tips.

1) Be aware of the information you share. There’s a lot of misinformation out there designed to anger, depress and wear you down. It’s likely to get worse as Election Day approaches. Double-check any article, etc. that you’re sending around.

2) Be kind. There’s something called Rage Farming, meant to get you so riled up that you react and comment, building the social media algorithm to push disinformation to the front. Pause. Breathe. If you want to engage, do it kindly. Or just walk away.

3) Log off. This is a fraught time and while it’s important to stay informed, it takes its toll. Instead, spend time out in nature. Read a book. Hang with friends. Crochet, cook, cut the grass…ground yourself.

4) Stay tough but joyful. Think of the late Congressman John Lewis, who was beaten on the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the 1965 Selma march. He never gave up his fight for justice, often talking about getting into “good trouble.” Find some joy in the fight for our democracy this year (Harris and Walz are showing us how to do just that).

5) Own your power. Voter roll purges are happening; double-check your voter registration status (or register, if you haven’t) and where your polling place is. The GOP is working hard to kick eligible Dems off the rolls in towns all over the country. Be vigilant. If you do somehow find yourself ineligible on Nov. 5, demand a provisional ballot.

6) Do your bit. Action (even a little bit) can counter feelings of being overwhelmed by this very loud, very amped up year. Consider phone banking, door knocking, or writing postcards or Letters to the Editor of your local paper. When you’re feeling hopeless, a little action is an immediate fix.

To paraphrase a Chinese curse, we are living in “interesting times.” It seems like 2024’s toll on our nerves will never end. But let’s take inspiration from the recent Olympics, keep our eye on the prize, and run through the tape.

Cindy Grogan is a writer, lover of history and "Star Trek" (TOS), and hardcore politics junkie. There was that one time she campaigned for Gerald Ford (yikes), but ever since, she's been devoted to Democratic and progressive policies.