The Hit List - The Empath’s Guide to Coping with the Current Political Climate

I’ve written before that I don’t want to live in a bubble, even when times are tough. But if, like me, you identify as being highly sensitive or an empath, this political climate hasn’t been easy to live in.

It’s been overwhelming.

People are anxious, depressed, angry. Every day, the news brings nothing but more negative stuff.

For sensitive folks, it’s an energetic overload.

I’ve spoken to many other empathic peeps and they ask the same thing: how on earth can you cope when you the collective pain is so great that it seeps into your pores? How can you remain centered when nothing feels secure?

It begins with intense, mandatory self-care:

Set your social media filters to high. Mute, unfriend, block, as needed. In Facebook, you can create lists which allow you to share things with people you trust – and keep others out of your stream…and out of your business.

Keep a polite distance from people who are spoiling for an online fight. You don’t need to engage with that.

Likewise, you may also want to disengage from Negative Nellys if their constant political posts are bringing you down.

Don’t read the comments. PERIOD. I never do.

Also: feel free to delete threads that get shitty. You don’t need that on your wall, people.

Some relationships may need strict boundaries. Got a racist uncle that wants to go on a rampage every holiday? Boycott the holidays. You don’t need to be around that.

Sign up for Randi Buckley’s Healthy Boundaries for Kind People – it saved my sanity. (Psst she also has Healthy Boundaries for Business!)

When going out in public, wrap yourself in energetic bubble wrap. Here’s how: visualize surrounding yourself with white light. Ask for your guides and angels to protect you.

If you feel too stressed out by the news, give it a break. Read comics instead.

Spend time in solitude or nature. It will do you good.

Hang out with positive, like-minded people. Or animals. Animals are always good balm for the soul.

Lean on your spiritual practices. Pray, meditate, chant, rest.

Take regular digital sabbaticals. Unplug.

Exercise. You’ll feel better almost immediately. Endorphins, yo.

Vacation if you can. Go as far as possible. See new things and meet interesting people.

READ YOUR FACE OFF. Instead of news, seek out novels, biographies of people you admire, self-help books, whatever makes you happy.

Massages, healthy meals, copious mugs of green tea, making love, a good night’s sleep. All the self care.

Make your mental, spiritual, physical health a priority. You need to be strong now.

Look, you don’t have to go under a rock nor do you want to but you do need to manage your energy well now. Because the world needs sensitive people but sensitive people need to feel safe in the world. Right now, many of us don’t. Which means: take care. Good care.

When all else fails, retail therapy. My new fake leather leggings!

Other stuff:

There are still some seats left for my tarot class in Albuquerque, New Mexico! Join me on February 18 2017: Coloring Tarot – A Colorful Dive into Tarot Cards at The Source for Creating Sacredness in Albuquerque, NM. Cost $60. Includes a copy of The Tarot Coloring Book. My promise to you: fun!

Good question: why does the United States still allow 12-year olds to get married?

Yoga teachers take note: 5 ways to be inclusive when teaching or practicing yoga.

Favorite post of the week: How to manifest a brilliant and beautiful life with Tarot – from the brilliant and beautiful Shaheen Miro!

I’ve found Randi Buckley’s work to be especially helpful during these turbulent times which is why I recommend the heck out of her work. Read this one: Explanation sounds like negotiation.

I learned about Focus@will, a music subscription service with tunes to help you get more productive, from Nathalie Lussier. I swear by it now! It DOES work.

There is a scientific reason why you suck at dancing.

When you think you can’t tell that story…read this.

Compelling: how author Timothy Tyson found the woman at the center of the Emmett Till case.

Will Smith and JayZ are doing an HBO mini-series on the murder of Emmett Till.

A woman who has lived here in the US for 21 years is one of the first to be deported under Trump.

MAC just made a new “pizza cutter” eyeliner. I know what I’m getting soon. Heh heh…

This is coming up soon: March 10th 2017 5-7PM The Nutman in Hubertus, Wisconsin. Join me for a free mini-tarot lesson + book signing! Books will be available for purchase.

Practicing good cyber security isn’t just for personal stuff. We’re all connected.

Loving on this: Black women writers pay homage to the women who inspired them most.

Sarah Von Bargen asks: Are you required to find + follow your calling?

First they marched – now 13,000 women are planning on running for office!

New goodness from Siobhan Renee over at Little Red Tarot: Safe aggression: an ode to the children of nine.

I’m quoted over at the Huffington Post: Tarot Readers Describe How Their Clients Have Changed Since The Election.

Interesting read on a childhood inside the pro-life movement.

Join me on April 13th at the Waxwing in Milwaukee for a free tarot workshop, wine, nibbles, and a book signing. It’s going to be so dope!

Hello my name is ___________. A story of whitewashing.

Tarot reader Angie Banicki tells how she gets it done.

Loved chatting with the good people of Zeta Global Radio about tarot!

In honor of Black History Month, here are 10 heroes you may not know.

Where to be in July: join me and The Wild Heart Queen, intuitive painter Chris Zydel for Brushes and Cards, a full day of tarot, painting, gourmet food and big fun! Here are the details, friends! Seats are limited – it’s almost sold out. Get your seat before they are gone, gone, gone!

Love tarot? You’ll want to get to the Omega Institute in August for Masters of Tarot, a total tarot immersion featuring Mary K. Greer, Rachel Pollack, Sasha Graham, Barbara Moore and yours truly!

For travellers: Chic Stays: Conde Nast Traveller’s Favorite People on their Favorite Places.

A good read from Ann Chen: Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World.

Good info for empaths: Empath: A Guide To Understanding, Defending & Nurturing Your Precious Gift (Intuitive, Psychic, Empathy) by Luna Sidana.

This is the book I’m waiting for: The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People by Dr. Judith Orloff.

Want to learn tarot in a fun, playful way? Get your copy of The Tarot Coloring Book – and color your way through the entire deck!