The results of the election hit me harder than I anticipated. It wasn’t just disappointment—it was devastation. To watch my country choose chaos and destruction over the possibility of progress, to reject the idea of a Black woman leading with grace and strength, felt deeply personal. The message was clear: this country would rather destroy itself than embrace what I represent.

I’ve been sitting with that grief for weeks now, not even realizing at first that I was in a cycle of mourning. The days have felt heavy, the nights long, and my mind restless. My soul has been weary. I haven’t felt like myself.

I couldn’t bring myself to turn on the news or engage in the endless debates about what went wrong. It was too much—too emotionally laboring. Instead, I’ve been protecting what little energy I have left, learning to be okay with not showing up for everyone else in the ways I usually do.

I’ve had to remind myself that I can’t pour from an empty teapot. And right now? My kettle isn’t full. That’s okay. It’s okay because I’m intentionally working to refill it.

If you’re feeling like I am—grieving, drained, and fragile—I want to share a few ways I’ve been protecting my peace and nurturing my spirit. Maybe these tips will help you too:

1. Set Boundaries with the News & Social Media

I’ve stopped watching traditional news entirely for now. Instead, I’ve turned to curated apps and newsletters that allow me to choose the headlines I engage with. This gives me the space to decide what I want to let into my mental and emotional world.

2. Create Safe Spaces for Your Thoughts

I’ve been intentional about only discussing my feelings and opinions in places where I feel safe and supported. It’s a form of self-protection, a way to process without fear of invalidation. Sometimes that space is a trusted friend; other times, it’s my journal.

3. Limit Emotional Labor

I’ve been saying “no” more than I ever have before. No to draining conversations. No to obligations that feel heavy. No to anything that asks more from me than I’m ready to give. This season, I’m unapologetically focusing on myself.

4. Do Things That Bring You Joy

Joy has been my saving grace. I’ve leaned into simple pleasures, like adorning my home with holiday decorations. Seeing my space filled with warmth and light has been the pick-me-up I didn’t know I needed.

5. Embrace Rest

I’ve given myself permission to rest. To do nothing. To not be productive. Rest is revolutionary for us as Black women, especially when the world expects us to be strong all the time. My rest is a form of resistance and healing.

6. Look Forward with Hope