The potential tanking of our economy is a specific area of alarm over the next four years for many, including myself. Some economists around the country have projected that inflation under the direction of President Elect Trump, will have a significantly negative impact. According to Forbes Magazine, a tariff on imports will create a domino effect in the American marketplace, with the consumer price index reflecting a 7.8% increase during Trump’s last presidency (1.9% annualized inflation) as compared to 5.4% during the 44 months of Biden’s presidency.
The realization of exactly how bad it would be hit me around a week after election night. I’m only just now financially stabilizing myself after a series of jobs to get to the sweet spot of a decent income for a college student. Watching what is happening on the political landscape and how it will impact my life daily feels like deterioration every time I think about it. However, I realize that not everything is within my control. Finding ways to prepare mentally soothes me.
It can be really easy to lose sight of our ability to take care of ourselves as we traverse new policies and changes in society, especially when situations seem so drastic. When it feels like most of what we do in society revolves around money, knowing the long term effects of political changes and how it stifles our potential to elevate and progress is anxiety producing.
Some of the tasks that have helped me realize that there is a way to be OK while enduring all of this are:
Reading. Not only is it good for the mind and soul, it is an inexpensive hobby that I can not only use to pass the time, but also to understand how to prepare for the economic crisis that we’re about to experience. Got a library? Use it. Reading doesn’t always have to equate to going out and buying books. There are ways to inexpensively invest in your mental wellness and boost your literary aptitude.
Staying active. It doesn’t need to be a gym membership. Walking is the best way to burn calories without expending enough energy to be hungry afterwards. Thirty minutes of sunlight can change the trajectory of your mood every day. Finding a way to move your body can regulate and/or stabilize your mood. Incorporating this into my day-to-day life can have more benefits than losing weight.
Investing in preparation. Look at the shelf life on certain day-to-day goods. White rice can last for up to two years. Canned fish like tuna and salmon can have a shelf life of up to five years. Having backup food in light of the higher taxes that most of us are going to pay brings me mental peace. What about my health? How can I make sure my body is healthy? Physical and mental health are linked. Planning to shift my birth control from the pill into something a bit more long term is already in the works. Consideration of appointments for vaccines or a general health checkup is another step forward in preparation.
Lastly, just taking it easy in general. Right now, even though tensions are high across the country, there is some mental peace I hold within knowing the timeline of how processes will unfold. Be sure you’re taking steps towards preparation, but be sure to rest as well. Enjoy small periods of peace in the interim of the chaos. Create personal normalcy and routines of rest and relaxation for yourself.
Trusting in our local politicians to keep us safe can be hard. However, Governor-elect Bob Ferguson and Attorney General-elect Nick Brown have both stated that they’re working to defy corruption ahead of inauguration, protect legal processes, and defend the rights of Washingtonians. Things will be different, and they won’t be easy, but there is still hope.
Take care of yourself.