It has been challenging to find words to match the moment we are in. There is a potent wave of rage, despair, fear and grief sweeping through many of us since the news of abortion rights being repealed, and it is only exacerbated by the looming possibility of more to come.

As each collective cultural trauma hits the shore one after the other, we are shaken. Our central nervous systems feel the threat, our hearts are tired from aching, and our psyches are torn between hopelessness and readiness to storm the castle.

You may find yourself having more intense emotional reactions to everyday challenges. As one of my wise daughters said, “When there is a big sad thing in the background, it makes the small sad things feel bigger.”

Be gentle with yourself.

Remember that you need to stay resilient for the work ahead, and that means regulating your system through time with loved ones, fresh air, and exercise; it means letting your emotions flow through safe conversations, journal writing, crying and even screaming; and it means taking news breaks so you don’t sink under the weight. Maintain your buoyancy.

If you are feeling disempowered, remember this:

The antidote to disempowerment is empowerment.

Focus on empowering yourself. Patriarchal messages get internalized and we start doubting our own worth, our own state of being perfect-as-we-are, our right to our full potential. We try to prove our worth as if it doesn’t inherently exist; as if we don’t have an inherent right to the full space we occupy; as if we don’t have an inherent right to use our voices.

Now is the time to free ourselves – to know our worth and our rights and our power so completely that we do not hold back demanding that they be honored. Practice releasing any self-doubt, self-criticism, shame, and helplessness you hear inside.

Once internal oppression takes hold, the patriarchy has won. Tapping into your personal power is an act of radical resistance – it threatens the very stability of the oppressive culture around us.

And when you sit fully in your own power, you become an unstoppable force for positive change.

The time for resilience and empowerment is now.

After a week of reflection, I have realized that what I can do today to be part of the good, important, radical work that needs to be done is to make my relevant e-courses as accessible as possible so that we may all be well-resourced for the days ahead.

Resilience teaches skills to stay mentally and emotionally buoyant in challenging times.

Women’s Awakening helps women shed the internalized oppression from the patriarchy and step into their power.

Both programs are now available at half price. The discount for Women’s Awakening is automatic; to access the discount for Resilience, use promo code PERSIST.

I am also working on creating a community space as an element of the Women’s Awakening program where we can “gather” for Q&A’s, information, and inspiration. More information to come.

The mental health impact of this latest collective trauma, particularly for women and girls, will likely get worse before it gets better. We must take care of ourselves. Remember – your power cannot be snuffed, and we need you to take care of yourself so you can be part of the revolution to come.

Yours in persistence –

Lindsay

Lindsay B. Jernigan, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist – Doctorate
Eastern View Integrative Medicine
185 Tilley Dr. #14
South Burlington, VT 05403
802-229-8270
drlindsayjernigan.com
instagram.com/dr.lindsayjernigan