I can’t speak for the rest of the world, but the general census from those I’ve spoken to in the UK and the media coverage I’ve watched is that it is deeply concerning to watch what is happening in America post-election.
Many people both inside and outside the States are concerned about the direction of leadership, with questions swirling around decisions on key appointments and whether individual selected have the experience needed to do the job, or any experience in the field at all.
Content can be triggering
Information and commentary on the backgrounds of some of these individuals, including Trump himself, can also be triggering to those affected by the crimes they have been accused of and/or investigated for.
All of this can create a range of negative emotions that can be difficult to deal with. It is not a situation we can influence in anyway. The fact it is completely out of our control can leave us feeling completely helpless.
What we can and can’t control
Life constantly throws challenges our way, many of which we have little to no control over. Whether it’s election results, unpredictable events, others’ opinions, or even the weather, these external factors can impact our moods, stress levels, and sense of stability.
It is easy to forget, however, that there is power in recognising that while we can’t control the decisions of others, we can control how we respond to them.
That can be more easily said than done. It is easy to read a news article or watch a TikTok video and instantly react. And the more you watch, the worse the negativity gets.
Eventually you reach the point where you’re either tearing your hair out or questioning why you don’t know the name of the new Tory party leader, but you’re now an expert on American politics.
Our own sphere of influence
But the reality is that focusing on what lies within our own sphere of influence can help us regain a sense of calm at a time when many of us will be feeling enraged.
The fact of the matter is that we can’t control what we can’t control. Channeling our energy toward areas that we can – our reactions, our attitudes, our focus, our routine, the content we consume, our personal boundaries, for example – we start to see results.
This focus empowers us and provides a sense of accomplishment, leading to a positive cycle that boosts both mental resilience and emotional well-being. Or, at the very least, it shifts our focus from the negative to a more neutral position where we feel calmer, less agitated, and less influenced.
How to Shift Your Focus
Learning to focus on what we can control starts with self-awareness and asking ourselves: Are the things we are worrying/stressing/enraging about within our ability to influence?
We can’t control how someone else behaves, but we can control our response. We can’t predict all life events, but we can control how prepared we are to handle change. Noticing the difference between internal (what’s within us and external (beyond our reach) factors is the first step to redirecting our focus to what’s manageable.
Also helpful, I’ve found, is writing things down to get them out of your head – journaling for example – and sharing the negative thoughts with others who are able to calm the thoughts down rather than fuel the fire. Then you can let them go and shift your focus away from the negativity.
Towards Positive Mental Health
Learning to focus on what you can control is a mindset shift that requires practise and patience. It isn’t easy in the current news cycle and ongoing TikTok commentary, but the rewards, in terms of better mental health and a more positive mindset, are worth it.
This feels a lot more constructive and productive than internally raging about a situation we may wish we could control, but the reality is that we can’t.
Our energy is better spent elsewhere.
