Have you felt it, too? That heavy, lingering sigh that whispers, "What now?" after the whirlwind of the 2024 elections? If you're anything like me, this election season might have left you feeling disoriented, questioning what "normal" even means anymore. The debates, divisiveness, post-mortem, and uncertainty are enough to make anyone want to throw their hands up and retreat. But what if… what if this is precisely the moment to pause, reflect, and redefine?
Naming the Disappointment
First, let's acknowledge the elephant in the room: disappointment. Elections often leave us with unmet expectations, whether our chosen candidates won or lost. We carry hopes of sweeping change, only to find ourselves wading through incremental progress or outright resistance. It's okay to feel deflated. It's okay to sit with the sadness for a moment. But don't unpack your bags and live there.
It's taken some folks 40 days to reset.
Maybe you're one of millions who might be despondent because your candidate didn't win. But this despondency isn't a signal to check out of the process. It's an invitation to dig deeper into who we are as citizens, as people with voices that matter. It's a moment to ask ourselves: What do I want normal to look like?
Reconnecting with Innocence
Before the cynicism. Before the endless news cycles. Before the social media arguments. Do you remember the first time you believed in something greater than yourself? Maybe it was a cause, a candidate, or even casting your first vote. That innocence, that wide-eyed belief that our actions could shape the world, still exists. It's buried beneath layers of disappointment and disillusionment, but it's there, waiting for you to reconnect with it.
This isn't about naivety. It's about holding onto the core of what makes democracy powerful: people who care enough to show up, speak out, and work together. What if we could return to that place? Not as wishful thinkers, but as wiser versions of ourselves who understand that progress is messy but worth pursuing?
Trusting Your Instincts
Somewhere along the way, we've been taught to second-guess our instincts. We're told to leave politics to the experts, to distrust our ability to discern truth from spin. But deep down, you know more than you realize. You know what fairness looks like. You know what honesty sounds like. You know what's right and what's wrong. Don’t let this election shake your confidence in your instincts or compromise your values. Trust yourself and stand firm in your beliefs.
Reconnecting with your political instincts means listening to that inner voice again. It means stepping back from the noise and asking: What feels true? What aligns with my values? When you trust your instincts, you're no longer swayed by every headline or poll. You're anchored in something deeper, something more profound.
Small Steps, Big Impact
I get it. It’s only been 40 days since the election, and hitting the reset button feels like climbing a mountain. But here’s the thing: redefining normal doesn’t have to mean making some vast, dramatic move. It can start small, right where you are.
Here are a few ways to begin:
[Re]Engage Locally: Local politics often impact our daily lives far more than national debates. It’s easy to get caught up in the drama of national politics. I know. I felt it, too—those big headlines and ad-nauseam debates can suck you right in. But here’s the truth: what happens in your backyard often has a much bigger impact on your daily life. That pothole on your street, the funding for your kid’s school, or even whether a new park gets built is being made right there in your local community.
Attend meetings, like city council, board of education, or other board meetings open to the public. It’s not as intimidating as it sounds, I promise. They might be boring, but these gatherings are where you can see and hear the people making decisions for your neighborhood—and they get to listen to you, too! Your voice has weight here, and your presence can spark real change. You might also meet neighbors who care about the same things you do. Together, you can start creating the community you want to live in. It all starts with showing up.
Stay Informed: In this whirlwind of constant updates and breaking news, it’s easy to get caught up in the noise. But here’s the thing: staying informed doesn’t mean gluing yourself to the news 24/7. That’s a quick way to burn out and cause anxiety. Instead, find a few trustworthy news sources (ones that value facts over drama) and make it a habit to check in regularly, not obsessively, but just enough to stay in the know. It’s about balance.
Mentor the Next Generation: Share your experiences with younger voters. Help them navigate their political journeys with wisdom and encouragement. Younger voters are entering a chaotic political world, figuring out what they believe and who to trust. This is where you can make a difference. Share your story—the wins, the mistakes, and what inspired you to care about the issues that matter. Be the encouragement they need when it all feels overwhelming.
It doesn’t have to be anything formal. Maybe a coffee chat or quick conversation after church can work wonders. Show up, listen, and offer your wisdom. You never know—your words could inspire the next big change-maker.
Advocate for Change: Your voice matters. Write to your representatives, join a cause, or have conversations with friends and family. I know it’s easy to feel small or like one person can’t make much of a difference, but that’s not true. Change always starts somewhere, with someone. Let that someone be you. It doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating; it's just about showing up in ways that matter.
Don’t underestimate the power of simple conversations. Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers about what matters to you. You might not always change someone’s mind, but you can plant seeds of thought and open the door for more significant discussions. Change starts with us, one voice at a time.
Moving Forward Together
Redefining normal isn't a solo journey. It's something we do together. It means choosing to see our neighbors not as adversaries but as fellow travelers on this road toward a better future. It means refusing to let apathy win. It means remembering that change, while slow, is possible.
So here we are, at the crossroads of disappointment and hope. Which path will you take? I hope you'll join us in choosing hope, not because it's easy, but because it's worth it. Let's redefine normal, not as a return to what was but as a courageous step toward what could be.
Remember, normal isn't something that happens to us. It's something we create. Together.
Your voice matters! Share your thoughts: How do you plan to redefine normal after the 2024 election? Let’s inspire and learn from one another!
Janette Owens is the founder of Be Inspired For Real and owner of Be Inspired For Real LLC. She loves everything inspirational and has spent most of her life inspiring and motivating others through humor, prose, exhortation, and God's grace. Janette is the author of A Swan Song, an intimate collection of poems and short stories. Janette lives just outside of Memphis, Tennessee.
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