Allowed to be anxious

Election anxiety from a Filipino's POV

I’m not even American, but the anxiety that I’m feeling from this year’s US elections is real.

This election cycle felt so familiar, since it greatly reminded of the 2022 elections here in the Philippines. You have a highly competent woman running against the Public Enemy Number One. So many similarities to point out, yet so little time.

Don’t get me wrong: the two candidates running for the highest position in the most powerful country in the world are no saints. One is a rapist and a capitalist pig, one is an enabler of the carceral system. However, my conscience is settling for the lesser evil. The real evil here is the system.

As I write this, I’ve been trying to juggle all my deadlines and all my responsibilities. While I’ve been experiencing some form of anticipatory grief through this election, I’m trying to channel the rage and grief that I’ve been feeling at the moment through the work that I’m doing, or through movement. I can only do so much.

Anyway, I’m still holding on to hope. I hope everyone is safe.

Until the next brain dump,

Lea