Reconnecting After the Divide: Finding Humanity in the Wake of an Election
In the aftermath of a major election, it’s almost instinctual to "other" those who hold opposing political views.
You look at someone who looks, sounds, lives, or voted differently from you and think: Which side are you on?
The polarization feels unavoidable, doesn’t it? Fractures deepen. Exhaustion sets in. Conversations grow tense, or worse, nonexistent.
It’s no accident. Campaigns spend billions triggering our amygdala—the fear center of our brain—sending our deepest anxieties and tribal instincts into overdrive. The result? A world that feels less connected and more adversarial with each election cycle.
But no matter where you fall on the political spectrum, I’m inviting us to resist the urge to shrink into our corners or puff up with defensiveness—or, at the very least, to try.
A Reminder to Pause and Listen
If there’s one thing this election highlighted, it’s how many people needed the privacy of a mail-in ballot or voting booth to truly speak their mind.
For me, this underscores a critical reminder: pause, listen, and challenge the echo chamber around me.
I know—your gut reaction might be, Oh, please.
But hear me out.
The Universal Feeling We All Share
More important than the identity markers that define us—race, age, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation—is an experience we all understand:
The feeling of being part of something—a team, a community, a country—while somehow feeling alone and unseen.
Like everyone else belongs, knows the unspoken rules, and holds the hidden key, while you’re the Outsider looking in.
This isn’t just anecdotal. Over decades and countless conversations, I’ve seen how pervasive this feeling is. It’s so universal that I’ve even given it a name: The Outsider Syndrome™.
We all know what it feels like to be excluded, misunderstood, or left behind.
And that’s why, in moments of division, I come back to the shared human experience—the universality of emotions we all recognize:
Anger and grief.
Hurt and confusion.
Hope and celebration.
These emotions transcend political lines. They are what connect us, even when everything else feels like it’s driving us apart.
Resisting the Pull of Division
Admittedly, in the immediate aftermath of an election, it can feel like asking too much to “see another side” or “navigate complexities together.”
The rawness of the moment is real.
I’ll even admit to my own fears. After this election, I’ve wrestled with the crushing thought: Am I suddenly less hire-able? Easier to disregard? Do I need to hustle even harder to prove my worth and security?
Those fears are heavy, and they’re valid. But I also recognize the danger of letting them dictate my actions.
Choosing Curiosity and Respect
Despite the fear and uncertainty, I choose curiosity and respect.
Not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.
Leaning into our shared human experience—the one that reminds us we’re more alike than different—might be the only way to build a bridge to our shared humanity.
This doesn’t mean ignoring differences or bypassing the real and pressing issues we face. It means finding the courage to engage with each other, not as adversaries, but as people with stories, struggles, and dreams.
The Danger of the Echo Chamber
One of the greatest challenges we face in times of division is the echo chamber: surrounding ourselves with voices that only reflect our own beliefs, fears, and perspectives.
It feels safe, even validating, but it limits our ability to grow, connect, and understand.
Challenging the echo chamber doesn’t mean agreeing with everyone or abandoning your values. It means being willing to hear perspectives that differ from your own, even when it’s uncomfortable.
The Power of Shared Humanity
At its core, this is about remembering that, no matter our differences, we all experience:
Joy and sorrow.
Triumph and failure.
Hope and despair.
We all want to be seen, heard, and valued. And we all know the pain of feeling invisible or misunderstood.
By leaning into these shared experiences, we can start to rebuild the connections that feel so fractured right now.
Building the Bridge, One Conversation at a Time
Rebuilding connections doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with small, intentional steps:
1. Listen Without Judgment
When someone shares their perspective, resist the urge to immediately counter or defend. Instead, focus on understanding where they’re coming from.
2. Ask Questions
Curiosity opens doors. Ask genuine questions about someone’s experiences and beliefs, not to challenge them, but to learn from them.
3. Find Common Ground
Even in moments of disagreement, look for shared values or goals. This creates a foundation for meaningful dialogue.
4. Acknowledge Shared Emotions
You don’t have to agree with someone’s perspective to validate their feelings. Acknowledging emotions like fear, hope, or anger can create a sense of connection.
5. Practice Patience
Building bridges takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and others as you navigate these conversations.
Holding Onto Hope
Even now, especially now, I hold onto hope.
Hope that we can lean into curiosity instead of fear.
Hope that we can re-elect respect, even in the face of division.
Hope that we can see each other not as opponents, but as people.
This isn’t about glossing over differences or ignoring the challenges ahead. It’s about choosing to believe that connection is possible, even when it feels difficult.
Final Thoughts: Choosing Connection Over Division
In the wake of an election, it’s easy to let fear and division take the wheel. But what if we chose differently?
What if, instead of shrinking into our corners or puffing up with defensiveness, we leaned into the shared human experience?
What if we chose curiosity, respect, and the possibility of connection?
It won’t be easy. It won’t be perfect. But it might just be the bridge we need to move forward—together.
Even now. Especially now.