72. Your Vote Matters - What You Can Do If You're Feeling Stuck
Summary
We’re in the middle of an election cycle and we’re not going to lie — it’s a lot. Some of us are avoiding consuming information altogether and others are consuming so much information that they feel powerless. So what do we do if we feel stuck and powerless?
In this episode Erica and India tackle the overwhelm and present specific ways to use your strengths to make each vote matter.
Quoted
“The more you learn the more you realize how much unlearning needs to happen.” - Erica Courdae
“Conversation moves you from being stuck in your own head to outwardly processing with someone else.” - India Jackson
“You can ignore feelings all you want but they’re always going to come back and bite you in the ass.” - Erica Courdae
“Some of your top strengths may not have anything to do with what you do for a living.” - India Jackson
“What is one thing you can do today just to get started?” - Erica Courdae
After the Episode
Apply to the Pause On the Play: The Community
Episode Notes
ELECTIONS ARE EXHAUSTING
It’s a lot staying present for this election cycle. Erica and India have both noticed that many people around them want to do something to create change, but aren’t sure how.
For many the election feels too big. We find ourselves wondering, “Why am I fighting this fight?”
Erica wants to dedicate this episode to everyone who’s feeling stuck, powerless, or small.
DON’T LIVE IN YOUR HEAD
India acknowledges the upside of elections when saying that more people are getting curious about how our government actually works. But the downside is that once you start learning it can become an endless rabbit hole.
Erica says it’s important not to live in your head questioning the impact of one single person.
The most important first step to take is to find someone to talk to. Whether that’s a friend, co-worker, or colleague, Erica says that just finding someone to express your feelings to is key.
The point of this conversation isn’t for them to tell you what to do, but to get out of your own head.
NAME YOUR STRENGTHS
Then you can ask yourself what you’re good at. On the surface this may not seem at all related to voting or what you do for work. That’s okay!
Maybe you’re a connector.
Maybe you’re a conversationalist.
Maybe you’re someone who brings the motivation.
If you’re stuck, ask your friends or colleagues: If you had to name my top strength, what would that be?
Make a list of these and then ask yourself how these could relate to voting. The important thing is to figure out one small thing you can do today. Examples of starting small could include:
Confirming you have your mail in ballot
Requesting you mail in ballot
Asking friends if they have their ballots
Going to family member you know doesn't have a car and offering a ride to polls
Paying for a friend’s Uber to get to the polls
Part of what you need to get started is validation that your actions matter. Starting small will provide evidence that your efforts are working and will keep you in action.
India acknowledges that some people need variety to feel challenged. Others need to find one thing and just focus on that one thing. Things can add up quickly when we get super focused on one thing we want to do.
DON’T SAY YOUR VOTE DOESN’T MATTER
Erica and India end the show by responding to the statement: “My vote doesn’t matter.”
Erica says that it’s a privilege to think that this choice should revolve around you. India continues this sentiment by sharing the definition of voting apathy: a tactic designed to make you believe your vote matters so little that you opt out.
For some people the biggest outcome to this election may be to their tax bracket. For others it’s their basic human freedoms...life or death.
Erica and India understand the importance of connection. That’s why they started the Pause On The Play Community. The Community is here to remind you of your own power and share connections and empathy when yours is running low. It also provides members with the ability to see how others are navigating their allyship.
If you’re longing for this type of shared space, apply to be a member: www.pauseontheplay.com/community