Decorating is Dissenting

In my recent post I discussed trauma-responses to the recent election, and how self-care is (part of) dissenting.

So, for the last few days, I’ve tried to put this into practice:

• Instead of scrolling I’ve been scribbling.

• I’ve also been scrolling. Because, well, it happens.

• I’ve ditched my couch for daily walks around the lake.

• I’ve ditched walks around the lake for cuddling on my couch.

• Whipped cream in my coffee (not every day, but every time I want it)

• Lots of naps

• A session of EMDR with a therapist

• I put up the Christmas tree. I bought (four!) new Christmas throw pillows and made mushroom ornaments and got a whole new collection of Christmas themed mugs. Lit a cinnamon candle. Stocked up on Mrs. Meyer’s Iowa Pine hand soap.

In light of the grief many of us feel about so many evangelicals voting for a morally corrupt and abusive man, I realize the irony of embracing such a “Christian” and commercialistic-capitalistic-infused holiday and calling it dissent.

dissent (v.): to hold to express determined opposition to opinions commonly, previously, or officially held.1

There is a lot of work to do in the fight against injustice and hate. The work will look different for each of us. The fight will take time and surely take a toll.

And as my friend K. J. Ramsey recently put it, “my hands were made for pens, not swords.”

Not all fights are fought with weapons. Not all fights are violent.

Self-care, that is, honoring the humanity and dignity in each of our bodies, must be a part of the dissent against a system that would benefit from our disappearing. A system that would prefer that we dishonor our bodies and do violence against them by ignoring their needs and feelings.

And for some reason, this has helped keep the glimmer of hope glowing in my body this week:

If you’re a trauma survivor who is struggling right now, you’re not alone. Your pain matters. Even if your body is unable to do anything other than exist today. That in itself is the bravest form of dissent there is:

To exist and continue to exist in a world that would rather act as if you didn’t. Or don’t deserve to. I’m so glad you’re here.

Whether this means putting up Christmas decorations early or something much more profound… I’d love to hear from you: where you’re at today, how you’re doing, what you need.

1. I’ve been inspired by my friend and colleague Lindsey Horvatich, who has written about the idea of dissent.