Emotional Discipline: Navigating Election Disappointment
Image designed by Freepik — Compassion and unity will be our deliverance from the next Trump era.
By Madilyn Zink ‘26
A disclaimer: I’m sharing these thoughts with the sole intention of contributing to the conversation from a place of deep care and concern for the future of the American left. I appreciate that this issue is deeply personal and complex, and that my perspective may not resonate with everyone. My goal isn’t to invalidate anyone’s feelings or experiences but to plead for a mindful approach to our collective future. We must find ways to bridge divides, even and especially when it’s difficult, in order to move forward in a way that reflects the core values of community and compassion.
Understanding how we got here is like unraveling a tangled ball of rubber bands; each factor pulls on another, making it tedious to untangle the whole. Many will attempt to explain what happened on 2024’s election night for decades to come. But this election wasn’t a mere political contest. It was our country’s collective reckoning. A clash of countless factors—social, economic, psychological, cultural, and ideological—exposed the inevitable consequences of neglect and division.
The phenomenon of the right-wing electorate is another story in its own right. But for now, I turn to those on the broader “left”: liberal Democrats, and progressives alike. How we handle this sensitive period post-election is crucial. We cannot afford to divide ourselves further. There is no more important time to unite. We must take shared responsibility for our future. Hope is not yet lost—only if we move forward together.
A quick glance at left-wing Twitter (X) is all it takes to see the damning reality of where we are right now: aggressive finger pointing, infighting, and a concerning level of vitriol. This isn’t necessarily anything new, though. The left is historically notorious for internal strife and passionate ideological disagreements. However, what stands out is how the rage isn’t merely ideological anymore; it’s personal. Online discussion has spiraled into toxic disputes along racial, class, and gender lines.
This phenomenon isn’t just confined to niche political circles, however; these themes are consistent with a broader social trend. As Americans of all political leanings turn inward, social trust has eroded across the board. A 2019 Pew Research poll found that 71% of Americans believe that interpersonal trust has declined within the past 20 years. This reflects not just political disagreements but a deeper fracture in our social fabric, further complicating the way we engage with each other—especially when tensions rise.
I know there is fatigue around the word “unity” right now, but it’s far from a shallow platitude at this moment. It’s all we really have. At a time when uniting around a common purpose is paramount, this type of hostile engagement with one another is splintering us even further. Instead of focusing on the larger picture of what’s at stake, we’re getting caught up in the battles that distract us from the real enemy: division itself. This is important to recognize because the division isn’t coincidental—it has been manufactured, counted on, and leveraged for years by those at the top who actually hold the true power in this country.
It may seem paradoxical when so many on the left are feeling betrayed, but now is the time to hold space for one another. To engage respectfully and let cool heads prevail. Ego must be set aside in favor of principles. The outcome of this election sets the stage for a true test: are the left’s values of community, care, and compassion genuine, or just another form of virtue signaling? Is it about being right or being better for all of us collectively? Instead of self-righteous rage or doomerism, channeling our emotions more constructively is the way forward. The outcome of this election isn’t entirely our fault. Yet how we respond is most definitely our responsibility. The future of the left, and its ability to mount a sufficient response to what’s to come, rests in our hands.
Passion is a powerful tool, but it must be channeled carefully if we are to negotiate this period of shock, disappointment, and, ultimately, four more years of Donald Trump. It’s all too easy to channel our anger into bitterness and blame, but we should try to resist this temptation. We have the ability to influence the world around us, not just through grand political maneuvers, but in the smaller, quieter ways we engage with each other. Be a positive force, offering light in a world that is becoming darker. Support your family, friends, and community. Lean on each other. Don’t underestimate the power of small, everyday acts of community. Changing hearts and minds isn’t just achieved in the political area, but also how we should treat each other every day. We must help those around us understand that the true enemy is not one another. The smaller acts—checking in on a neighbor, helping a friend through a tough time, standing up for someone who feels unseen—are the building blocks that create a community that is resilient in the face of hardship. Each time we offer compassion and care, we are helping cultivate a culture that looks out for one another. The first step to healing is the realization that we are not enemies. True progress comes from building bridges, finding common ground even in our differences, and working together despite our flaws. If you’re capable, political mobilization doesn’t have to end now that the election is over. Organize, volunteer, and get involved with political groups. There’s always more to do.
To the “doomers” I say this: it’s far from over. History has been full of moments where the stakes were higher and the odds were steeper. Yet, people still rose up and actively worked toward a better future for their fellow humans every day. We wouldn’t have many of the rights and advances that we do today if they chose not to do so. If they could find strength in much worse circumstances, so can we. The pursuit of a better world is always worth it. We can’t let our disappointment corrupt our values, vision, and resolve.
None of us have all the answers, either. There is no monopoly on the “correct” explanation of the outcome of this election. How we got to this point is extraordinarily complex, to the extent that most theories accurately capture at least one facet of a larger phenomenon. So, binary thinking will not deliver us to a better future, either. Hear others out—there’s always something we can learn.
The next four years won’t be easy. But how we respond in this consequential moment will shape the future for ourselves, our communities, and the generations that follow. We have a responsibility to each other—not just in the political realm, but in how we live, connect, and act every day. Some may channel their energy into political action, while others may focus on supporting their communities and those around them. Both are equally important in our broader mission. It’s in these small, quiet but meaningful acts—reaching out, showing care, and holding space for one another—that we start to rebuild the trust that’s been fractured. We must approach these next four years with respect, compassion, humility, and grace towards humanity.
These calls to unity are not about avoiding confrontation; it’s about ensuring that the confrontation isn’t misplaced. We must remember who the real enemy is: the systems that thrive on our division. Our fellow citizens and human beings are not our adversaries. It is only with our faith in humanity intact that we can rise to the challenges ahead.