The Importance of Community During a Trump Administration

I’m sure you have heard or read about the importance of community during times of crisis or healing. There is also the cliche of “it takes a village to raise a child”. It’s because we humans are designed to be in community.

What is a community you ask? A simple definition is that it is a social unity where the members share a common network that includes values, interests, goals, and kinship (helpfulprofessor.com/types-of-communities/). That community of people who share your common interests and goals becomes paramount when you are in a time of healing.

It is so important to identify who this community is for you. There is no required size. It is about quality here, not quantity. It can be a few people that you feel emotionally and physically safe around. There can be different groups you engage in at different times of the day/week/month depending on your schedule. It all counts as community.

Unfortunately we are in an administration right now that is trying to gain as much control over us as citizens, and stripping away basic rights from anyone who isn’t a white Christian male. Even if you aren’t in healing, I consider this a crisis in which we all need to come together, and lean on each other if we’re feeling unsafe, hopeless, sad, angry, etc.

Mindfulness is still a wonderful tool in this case. Get as familiar with your own emotions as you can, and develop as many coping strategies for various emotions as possible. One technique is to talk things out with someone in your community. But don’t forget about your creative interests as well.

Now is a great time for a book club. I can’t recommend reading enough as a way to replace social media scrolling. It’s been a huge challenge for me thus far this year, but I won’t stop trying. I hope you won’t either. I am in this crisis with you, and together we can weather the storm.

Thank you for reading and as always, stay kind to yourself.

-- Megan