Pride In My Neighborhood
My therapist, back before she left the clinic, reminded me that there’s little I can do beyond voting/canvassing to sway the election. She always told me to “take care to clean my side of the street.” What she meant was that I only have control over my sphere of influence—all the elements of my life that I can change and improve directly. No, I can’t change the outcome of a bad election, but I can help my neighbor plant trees. I can’t suddenly change our government officials, but I can ensure I’m available to help a friend when they’re in need. I can keep my literal side of the street comfortable and inviting, but I can’t make half the country care about the lives of marginalized communities.
I’ve struggled with the outcome and reality of the election since the night it was called. I’m full of anger and disbelief that the people around me would choose a regime built on hate, ignorance, fear, and violence. I’ve sunk back into a depression that I cannot shake, no matter how hard I try to distract myself.
At this point, I’m just tired of constantly railing against it. I keep telling myself that I need to concentrate on “my side of the street” for the moment. Today, while on a walk, I saw this Pride flag, and it made me feel better for a moment. It was a reminder that, despite how it looks, the world still has normal, accepting, moral people in it who care about others. It’s not devoid of good people entirely; they’re just the minority.