This election feels heavy, impossibly heavy. So heavy that many of us are struggling to find the strength to keep our grasp on it. We are exhausted, sick and tired of fighting for our basic rights, let alone our respect, dignity, and right to the pursuit of happiness. Each year the weight and the toll that it all takes seems to push us down bit by bit. 

I’ve noticed this exhaustion in myself as well. If I, someone with training and experience in fighting for social justice, am having trouble keeping my faith and hope in our future, it’s clear that collectively we are struggling. And for reasons that make so much sense. 

Here I could list a whole host of statistics relating to our political climate in the United States: rights that have been stripped from us and our queer kin, bills that have been introduced to do more of the same, numbers of how many of us have had serious medical and mental health crises, or even figures representing those of us who have not survived. 

The weight just feels impossible to bear sometimes…most times. 

So, what more can we do? I have been asking myself this question for years now. For a while it wasn’t so hard to find some positives, possibilities for the future that felt probable. This was back when I was young, fresh, and had so much energy to fight for our rights. As time has marched on and the attacks have worsened and increased, I’ve grown weary. But I also know what we always need in order to make it through another week, day, or hour: hope. Even if it’s just a little, even if it’s a small flickering ember, we need it. 

Where can we find hope? How can we cultivate it? 

The answer is actually quite clear when you stop and think about it. We can foster hope through connections with others. When we connect with each other and share what we’re carrying, the weight can get distributed and it doesn’t feel so impossible anymore. Just like a conversation with a friend or a smile shared with a stranger can lift up your mood. Safe connections help us remember what hope is, what it feels like, and how to make it grow. 

During this time of great uncertainty I want you to find some hope, as much as you can gather. Cultivating space for hope to grow in all of our queer kin and allies is a cause I believe in so much so that I want to explicitly invite you to join me. Thanks to QueerPsych I will be holding safe spaces for folx to bring their emotions about the current election. We will welcome you, hear you, sit with you, and remind you that you are not walking this path alone. I do hope you’ll join us and that you’ll leave with a bit more hope. 

Your fellow hopeful queer, 

Jennifer (she/they)

Join QueerPsych's virtual event to hold space and discuss your feelings about the election:

• Wednesday 11/6 from 1:30-2pm Eastern

• Friday 11/8 from 11:30-12pm Eastern

Please join us in a safe space held by clinical social worker and psychotherapist Jennifer Wolfe-Hagstrom, LICSW (she/they) as we connect and hold space for all we might be feeling during this tumultuous time. Bring your confusion, uncertainty, fears, hopes, and everything in between. We will sit with them together and remember that none of us are alone. 

Click here to sign up for QueerPsych's virtual post-election space!

This is not a therapy group and is not intended to replace therapy. Please seek out a professional psychotherapist licensed in your state to receive comprehensive therapeutic support. 

Learn more about the event host, Jennifer Wolfe-Hagstrom, BS Edu, MSW, LICSW

Jennifer Wolfe-Hagstrom, BS Edu, MSW, LICSW (she/they) is a creative leader, trainer, mentor, artist, and change-maker. They provide LGBTQIA+ and NeuroDivergent Affirming clinical psychotherapy, clinical supervision, professional training, and supportive creative expressive workshop groups. Committed to inspiring self- advocacy for clients and colleagues, Jennifer strives to walk the walk, not just talk the talk and believes that “Role Model” is one of her most important titles. Across multiple mediums Jennifer inspires folx to break cycles of pain and live free, authentic, and joy-filled lives! Jennifer is based in Southern New Hampshire with her kiddo, animals, family (bio & chosen), and friends. Connect with them at: 

KindnessCornerTherapy.com & KindnessCornerStudio.com

Instagram (1): @kindnesscornertherapy

Instagram (2): @kindnesscorner_studio

Facebook: @kindnesscornertherapy

LinkedIn: @jenniferwolfehagstrom

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