I agree it's a tough week ahead for everyone due to the politics of the world today. I continue to reflect on my lived experience and feel unfortunately that I have lived through this before - the Vietnam era was very traumatic. Seeing our country torn apart and divided , regardless of the winner is a painful realization but not a new one in American history. Stay close to those you love and do what you can to make the world a better place. All painful political eras end and new ones emerge. It's family and friends that are the constant glue.
So, how did work go on Wednesday and Thursday and Friday for you? I don't see clients on Wednesdays, but I did see my usual clients on Thursday and they were FREAKING OUT. My caseload is mostly college-educated white women over thirty, i.e. Trump's least popular demographic. Consoling women through back-to-back sessions full of justified dread, fear, panic, and sadness was exhausting. I woke up feeling sick on Friday morning and genuinely don't know if I caught a virus, or if I was having somatic symptoms from the stress. As you said, the evergreen coping skills are nice and all, but... not enough? Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic? An inadequate band-aid for a hemorrhaging wound? 😮💨
Work this past week and a half or so I've seen a strange combination of despair and anxiety, and resignation, acceptance, and hopelessness. Some of my clients are so political engaged already that this result felt like an inevitability. Definitely noticing different patterns depending on their age. I've been interested in thinking about how, for my clients who are 19 or 20, Trump has been a figure ever since they came of an age to develop political opinions, so that's their normal.
Agreed - so many existential thoughts of "what are we really doing here?" That said, I've found a little comfort in having a way to be helpful to a few individuals. I hope you're feeling a little healthier and have had some time to take care of yourself, too.
Can I ask what state you're in? I'm just curious if the reaction is different depending on where you are. I had at least a few sessions this week that felt normal, i.e. client's processing work stress or interpersonal conflict, and those felt like a much-needed respite where I could catch my breath. The women on my caseload who are survivors of sexual assault are so triggered.
I agree it's a tough week ahead for everyone due to the politics of the world today. I continue to reflect on my lived experience and feel unfortunately that I have lived through this before - the Vietnam era was very traumatic. Seeing our country torn apart and divided , regardless of the winner is a painful realization but not a new one in American history. Stay close to those you love and do what you can to make the world a better place. All painful political eras end and new ones emerge. It's family and friends that are the constant glue.
So, how did work go on Wednesday and Thursday and Friday for you? I don't see clients on Wednesdays, but I did see my usual clients on Thursday and they were FREAKING OUT. My caseload is mostly college-educated white women over thirty, i.e. Trump's least popular demographic. Consoling women through back-to-back sessions full of justified dread, fear, panic, and sadness was exhausting. I woke up feeling sick on Friday morning and genuinely don't know if I caught a virus, or if I was having somatic symptoms from the stress. As you said, the evergreen coping skills are nice and all, but... not enough? Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic? An inadequate band-aid for a hemorrhaging wound? 😮💨
Work this past week and a half or so I've seen a strange combination of despair and anxiety, and resignation, acceptance, and hopelessness. Some of my clients are so political engaged already that this result felt like an inevitability. Definitely noticing different patterns depending on their age. I've been interested in thinking about how, for my clients who are 19 or 20, Trump has been a figure ever since they came of an age to develop political opinions, so that's their normal.
Agreed - so many existential thoughts of "what are we really doing here?" That said, I've found a little comfort in having a way to be helpful to a few individuals. I hope you're feeling a little healthier and have had some time to take care of yourself, too.
Can I ask what state you're in? I'm just curious if the reaction is different depending on where you are. I had at least a few sessions this week that felt normal, i.e. client's processing work stress or interpersonal conflict, and those felt like a much-needed respite where I could catch my breath. The women on my caseload who are survivors of sexual assault are so triggered.
New York! I'm in Brooklyn. Same re: survivors, especially those who tried seeking justice or accountability.
I lived in Brooklyn for many years! I got my social work degree at NYU. ♥️