The election fud is real

I feel it, you feel it, we all feel it.

Election anxiety is real, and so is the FUD—fear, uncertainty, and doubt—that is deliberately used to capture our attention or numb us out. A staggering 69% of Americans report feeling anxious about the election (I’m surprised it’s not higher), while 49% of workers are reluctant to go to work due to political tension.

We could easily blame politics and the media for our anxiety because both institutions are designed to affect our emotions, but we have the power to curb those effects. We can prioritize reclaiming some agency in how we react to the realities of this election and the FUD that comes along with it.

I know it's not easy. I grew up in Denmark, often cited as the world's best democracy, and I've experienced a system where the stakes for political parties aren't as high. In Denmark, democracy means including diverse perspectives and listening to different voices with varying needs. The government's role is to find common ground, and the prime minister's task is to create a win-win situation that benefits most people.

Currently, we face critically different opponents and, for many, vastly different approaches to problem-solving, which leaves the future feeling uncertain. It has become increasingly challenging to find common ground. This situation leaves us, as individuals, feeling powerless, which is one of the root causes of anxiety. Yet, we cannot turn our eyes away. 

Voting is essential to expressing our voices, making a difference, and creating positive change together. We cannot simply ignore the situation.

But, it is the worry that wears us out. The action builds us up.

So, how do we work with our anxieties and shared worries in a way that makes us feel we are doing something about them?

I want to acknowledge there is nothing wrong with you for feeling FUDDY! Worry is part of our human condition; it means we care, and what we care about can make us stronger together.

“Elections are common wellsprings of anxiety because they’re rife with uncertainty, says David H. Rosmarin, the founder of the Center for Anxiety. You’re unsure of the outcome and unsure of what life may look like for you under a new administration, especially when the difference between the two choices is undeniably vast.” (from VOX(

“Election-based distress isn’t necessarily based on hypotheticals or overreactions, says licensed clinical social worker Jneé Hill. “A lot of the concerns,” she says, “are very real and very valid based on people’s real lives and lived experiences.” (also from VOX)

FACE THE FUD WITH CARE (FEAR, UNCERTAINTY, AND DOUBT)

We cannot change or control what's happening but can participate and speak up without getting dragged through the FUD.

This isn't about ignoring our feelings; it's about refusing to feel powerless or believing we have no control over our emotions. We don't have to judge our worry; we can acknowledge it, give space for it, and accept it. 

It's crucial to acknowledge our feelings and use them as information to guide our actions, even if that action is sitting still and feeling. 

The key is recognizing our power of choice.

During times like these, many choose not to express their feelings, fearing conflict at work, within families, or among friends—especially when we don't agree on the importance of certain issues.

Conversations can challenge our boundaries. While tension and conflict can potentially strengthen relationships, this only works when both parties are willing to pause, listen, and ask questions with curiosity rather than criticism.

Your boundaries matter. To voice and express them, we need to feel safe and supported. At work, leaders face the challenge of creating a safe space where people can speak up about what they oppose while also fostering an environment where everyone can share what they support. Healthy boundaries are a blend of both. Instead of confrontation, it should be a conversation—a care-driven one. I know this is easier said than done when stress runs high, as FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) is inherently stressful.

When a company has rigid back-to-office rules during this time, many people end up feeling forced to face the discomfort of being face-to-face in the office. Many might take sick days or choose “coffee-badging” to avoid conflict. Managers must support their teams' needs to stay productive during times like this. Fast Company Magazine suggests leaning on hybrid work during this time. “Instead of leaving employees to try to manage their concerns on their own, companies need to cultivate a workplace culture that accommodates workers’ individualized needs as much as possible.”

POWER-PAUSING IS YOUR TOOL TO RECLAIM YOUR POWER OF CHOICE

Through all of this, I acknowledge that the state of this election elicits strong emotions because the outcome has a significant impact on our quality of life, our well-being, and our safety. To many, it feels like life or death. With stakes this high, it can be difficult to stop, think, and respond from a place other than pure anger.

If a conversation gets heated, Pause. That in itself is a boundary you can choose to have. Election anxiety is not only about managing your FUD; it’s also about managing relationships. That means conversations.

In times like this, with high stress and anxiety, we need deep humanity more than ever.

• I invite you to pause before you react.

• I invite you to pause before you judge.

• I invite you to pause before you engage so that you can choose your words with intention.

• I invite you to pause in conversations that hold tension and give space for thoughts and opinions, reminding yourself that the human in front of you is a co-worker, a friend, or even perhaps a stranger who has just as much right as you to their perspective. We can pause to listen, ask more questions, and not have to agree.

• I invite you to pause and vote, not with your fear but with a mindful determination that what you care about matters.

Let's come together and keep believing it's possible to build a better future for everyone because people who care together create change and impact together.

When we are driven by care instead of fear, we are reminded of what it means to be human: togetherness.