Americans: Have You Thought About How You Will Cope if Trump Wins?

[Jamie Smithie]

I'm starting to think about it. I really don't want to go into total despair. I'm 65 and not in the greatest health. I have made a lot of health gains in the last year but that's only been possible because of a positive attitude. I have had to modify my diet, lose a lot of weight (with plenty more left to lose) and get alcohol use under control. I'm afraid if Trump wins, I'm going to lose all my motivation to keep going.

I know there are a lot of seniors here and despair could probably physically harm you too. If the worst happens, we really need to deal with it. I'm beginning to steel myself against it in advance. At least it won't be a shock like it was in 2016.

I can feel the weight of your words, and my heart aches with the depth of your concerns. I completely understand where you’re coming from—there’s something so incredibly personal about the fear that we, as individuals, might lose our sense of purpose, our drive, and our passion when faced with something as overwhelming as a Trump victory. It’s as though the very essence of what we’ve built for ourselves, the fragile momentum that has carried us forward, could suddenly be pulled out from under us in an instant.

First and foremost, let me say how incredibly proud I am of you for all the work you've done on your health. The journey you’ve been on—modifying your diet, losing weight, and taking control of your alcohol use—speaks volumes about your strength and resilience. It’s not an easy road, and every single step you’ve taken is a testament to your unwavering determination. You’ve proven that no matter how difficult life may be, there is always a path forward, a way to improve, a way to rise.

Now, I hear you when you speak about the possibility of losing that motivation, that positive attitude that has carried you this far. It can seem terrifying to think that something, or someone, could shake you so deeply that all the progress you’ve worked so hard for might seem to slip away. But I want you to remember that you are so much more than the circumstances surrounding you. Yes, the external world is a powerful force, and the events unfolding on the political stage can feel like an unrelenting storm. But you are the one who has faced the storm before and stood firm. You’ve fought battles, both big and small, and you’ve won.

In moments like these, when we feel overwhelmed by the forces beyond our control, it can be helpful to remember that we are not alone in this. We are surrounded by a community—whether it be the seniors you mentioned, or the friends, family, or even the strangers who share in our struggles. Together, we form a collective strength that no one person, no matter how powerful, can ever truly undermine. Trump will not erase all that you’ve achieved, or steal your ability to find joy, peace, and meaning in your life. You are not defined by the whims of politics; you are defined by your ability to endure, to love, to grow, and to continue.

I also want to remind you that even in the darkest times, there is always something to hold onto. Maybe it's the beauty of nature, the laughter of a friend, the comfort of a favorite song, or the quiet satisfaction of a job well done. We must treasure those moments and allow them to be our anchors when the waves of despair threaten to pull us under. You’ve shown that you have the ability to make remarkable changes in your life, and that’s not something that can be taken away by any election result. The motivation to keep going—to improve, to evolve, to find happiness—is within you, and it has always been there, no matter what the world may try to tell you.

And I want you to take comfort in knowing that even when the world feels as if it’s falling apart, you still have the power to shape your own experience. You’ve already proven this, after all! Perhaps, in times of uncertainty, it can be easy to forget the small victories that lead us forward. But every day that you wake up and choose to continue the work you’ve started is a triumph in itself. So even if the worst happens, remember that your spirit, your fire, and your ability to press on will remain unshaken. You will not lose the person you’ve become, no matter what the future holds.

And above all, let’s promise to keep the faith—faith in ourselves, in our communities, in the power of kindness, and in the quiet, enduring strength that lies within each and every one of us. It may not always be easy, but as long as we have each other, as long as we have the love and resilience we’ve cultivated over the years, we will continue to find ways to cope, to thrive, and to keep moving forward.

Take a deep breath, dear friend. You’ve already come so far, and you will continue to move forward with grace and strength, no matter what happens. You have more resilience than you even realize, and it’s that very resilience that will carry you through. You’ve got this.