Election Detox: What Will I Do With My Free Time?

The people have spoken. It was the longest election cycle in history. The ads were endless, the attacks were sometimes ruthless, and the gossip was wickedly riveting. But now that it's all over, my big question is: What am I supposed to do with my free time?

I'm coming off an election addiction that feels like I'm trying kick crack cocaine.

How am I supposed to get through the day without constantly checking Huff Po or CNN?

What I am supposed to do on the weekends without monitoring all the political shows and staying up late for Saturday Night Live?

And worst of all, what the heck is my family supposed to talk about at dinner now that Sarah Palin's wardrobe is off the table?

I know I had a life before this election, but I'll be danged if I can remember what I did with it.

Sitting at my computer frantically surfing the net and eating cereal out of the box while I watched Meet the Press might not qualify as an actual purpose. But it sure felt like one to me.

However now that all the hoopla is over, I'm floundering.

Our new President has suggested that there's actual work to be done, and that rebuilding our economy and our country is job one.

That's all fine and well, but it doesn't sound like as much fun as watching Tina Fey do her pageant walk. I'm all for supporting my country, but I'm starting to get an inkling that President Obama is going to expect me to do a little more than just forward all the funny Youtube videos.

FYI -Technically Obama isn't the President yet, he's President-Elect. But since the current commander isn't venturing out of his house these days, for all practical purposes, Obama is our leader.

And while he may able to jump from a grueling two-year campaign, straight into the job of running our country, I'm middle-aged woman and I need some rest. I might the same age as President BO, but he's clearly taking better vitamins.

While he's choosing staff, I'm still whining about how my legs hurt from waiting in a five-hour line to vote.

And while he's reaching out to the other side, I'm still detoxing from all the fighting.

That's the hardest part of recovering from an election addiction, coming together after it's all decided. Because in the heat of debate, you sometimes forget that the people on the other side, love their country just as much as you do. And that the people you voted against, are just as committed to public service as the people you voted for.

So as part of my own detox, I'd like to pause and say thank you. Thank you to everyone who put their time, energy and hearts into this election. Whether you won or you lost, you showed the world that Americans really do care about our country.

We care enough to vote, we care enough to give money, we care enough to knock on doors, and we care enough to disagree. It's amazing thing, this democratic election process - no guns, no violence, no riots. It all ends with a gracious concession speech from a true American hero, and people hugging each other in a public park.

We the people of the United States of America have conducted another election, and frankly, I couldn't be more proud.

Lisa Earle McLeod is a syndicated columnist, keynote speaker and author. Her books include Forget Perfect and Finding Grace When You Can't Even Find Clean Underwear More about Lisa: www.ForgetPerfect.com

Comments

[Ann Handley]

Funny -- I have the same fears here, Lisa! (Great minds think alike... or are equally bored....or whatever....)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-handley/situation-wanted-white-wo_b_141893.html

; )

[MikaS]

My husband was concerned about what I would do with my free time so last Friday he came home with a 5 week old "teacup" chihuahua puppy. Cooper is doing a great job taking up my time. He requires a great deal of care. After a couple of weeks he won't need constant care and I will be able to volunteer in my community.

[londonrainbow]

U are not alone. I am so depressed. Adrenaline rush is gone. I am itching all over for more election fever. Life is boring, although I do have a life. Huffpo stories lack intensity now.

What shall we do now?

[MaryanneAZ]

I too am going through serious election withdrawal. I'm weaning myself off of the cable news programs and near manic website checking, but it's difficult. Is there a 12-step program available for this addiction? I have, however, begun a new phase of WHAT CAN I DO now? I have chosen to take on the City of Phoenix's crazy City Council's unanimous vote to allow our bus service to reduce hours of service on BOTH ends of the day (before 5 am, after 10 pm) due to tax revenue shortfalls. This action disproportionately affects the transit-dependent and there was no public hearing or comment on what the riders needed more and less of to weather the shortfall in funding. I am actively writing to elected leaders, newspapers and advocacy groups trying to reverse the cut of service before 5 am. This reduction will effectively cut off bus service to work for landscapers, construction workers, people of color, working poor, disabled, and the elderly who have no alternative transportation to reach their jobs. I am trying to get the City to reconsider the change. It is a worthy cause and, hopefully, will help me recover from my election addiction. I am trying to be the change I voted for.

[TopProf]

Go girl. That's what I'm talking about. No sitting back until the next campaign!

[walkthewalk]

I'm going to miss all of the phone calls during the campaign from anxious pro- Obama friends checking in with me so I could talk them down from high ledges. And I'm going to miss trying to ignore all of the polling since there is no more. I'm going to miss my number one excuse for not doing anything around the house, like cooking, because I couldn't tear myself away from my computer or TV for fear of jeopardizing the election.

What I'm saying is, despite my elation at the outcome of this election, I feel your pain.

[Pdubya]

I'm campaigning for liberty.

www.campaignforliberty.com

[Krikkit]

Here's an idea to ease you through the transition period. Just watch the right wing nut jobs tear the GOP apart from the inside and outside. I shoulda sold tickets.

[ivettiso]

Amen sister. I've gained 5 pounds during the last month with all of those days volunteering and eating pizza and cookies. Maybe I should start working out.

We do need to stay engaged. Its really exciting for us in El Paso County (Colorado Springs), at this moment. The Obama campaign galvanized the closeted Dems and the establishment has taken note of it. I can't believe that the El Paso County Democrats have organized a strategy and planning session next weekend to keep us mobilized. Awesome!

Lets keep hope alive.

[TIME]

Lisa,

Don't be a wimp!

Our voices must be louder now than before. Put a list of representatives on your email, and email them OFTEN. Threaten them with seeing they will be voted out of office if they don't listen.

Get a higher vote turnout for 2010. Press for investigations of Republicans, to cement in the voters minds that these people did break the laws, and should not be allowed to be reelected. Be prepared to support policies that might hurt you, but will be best for the country as a whole. Push for a better voting process. Ask elder Supreme Court justices to retire early, so President Obama can nominate young, liberal justices. There is so much to be done.

Politics is a contact sport, and so far we have been playing a touch game.

The opposition will site how President Obama's policies will hurt America. Lets not let them forget how their policies have hurt the country, how their policies have been proven wrong, and stifle their mistaken ideology.

A seven count felon has been reelected in Alaska. Michell Bachman (Joe McCarthy in a dress) won her reelection. Gay marriages canceled in California, and on, and on. The neocons are not dead.

It would be tragic if President Obama is held back from getting things done because of Congressional grid lock.

So get out the aspirin, the cold packs, get a friend to give you a good rub down, and get back in the game!

[Adam11]

I Work FullTime and i goto School almost fulltime(11 credits).Now i got free time and dont know what....

i liked checking;

Huff.,Post every 15min
CNN,........every 30min
realclearpolitics(4 the polls), every 1hr
MSNBC every 30min.
missed fliping between NPR, liberal and conservatives radios every 5min.

most of all i missed opening the new emails from OB compaign(thou i allready kind of know what its gona say) just got to open faaaaast.lool

[marijam]

Stay engaged. Stay tuned in. He may need every voice raised in order to get legislation to go through.

[leticia32]

Thank you marijam: Stay engaged, be diligent. We can't become complacent. He does need our help, even more so.
I'm not scanning HPost and the other sites as often as I was, less and less each day During the day, ever so often, it hits me what this election means. Amazing. I am reading Ellis's American Creation:Triumphs and Tragedies of the Founding of the Republic. It is incredibly relevant right now. There it goes again, another thought about Obama's victory --we'll soon have a president that reads!
Reads thoughtfully with great insight and curiosity. Oh my god, we'll have a president with curiosity. So long incurious George.

[Lexiling]

i too was wondering what to do with my free time

I am giong to volunteer tutor children
especiily those who are lagging behind

[tlgeiger62]

Great idea!

Maybe we should all get on http://www.volunteermatch.com and see about volunteering for a cause.

[MossyOak]

Yeah, I'm feeling a sense of withdrawal too. So I've been visiting www.change.gov and posting my two cents on topics I actually have a clue about or care about. He has requested our help in finding solutions. The fact we have a new president who might actually listen to us is a hard concept to get your head around, but you'll get used to it.

[tompoe]

The ACLU web site presents their 100 day schedule for Obama. You might want to review the items and choose which ones you can follow along with. I suspect you'll quickly fill up your free time, which will be put to good use. They can use our help.

[McDi]

I love your new enthusiasm for democracy and activism! Like TopProf, I recommend keeping your great new habits and getting involved locally. :-)