The road to healing: How to recover from election 2012

With the end of the election, Americans can finally breath easy.

Letting your head settle after the intense past months of grueling campaigning can take a while. But rest assured: with each campaign comes a four year hiatus of the constant stream of campaign ads. It’s easy to get caught up in the heat of political squabbles. You may even have a case of PTSD from the whole ordeal, which is understandable. I do, too.

Now that this is over, learn how to recover for the 2012 election from the CUI. Above, hundreds of people gather at the Boulder Theater Tuesday night to watch the presidential election results. (Haleigh Jacobson/CU Independent File)

If you’re incapable of walking to the bus without constantly jumping at every movement near the trees, I’m in the same boat. If you’re having trouble leaving the house without being on guard for wild campaign volunteers with stickers, brochures and information appearing out of nowhere, let me guide you towards recovery.

It takes time to fully get over the shell shock that results from the constant bombardment of political agendas from both parties. Even the signs and chalk writing got more aggressive as the final days of early voting grew closer, demanding I “VOTE NOW.” They may as well have added “OR ELSE” to the end.

Say goodbye to the wild-eyed, blood thirsty volunteers asking if you’ve voted and forcing polling station directions into your hands regardless of your response. Take a deep breath and revel in the peaceful walks you can once again enjoy on your walks to class. No longer must you endure the awkward, blatant way you had to avoid eye contact at all costs with the volunteer planning their attack. As for the persistent phone calls asking for volunteers or campaigning, I look forward to a time during which I can finally answer my phone without fear of having to listen to campaign volunteers.

The mental duress of repeatedly being told, “I don’t care if you have to drag your family members or friends from their house to the polling station, VOTE! And get everyone you know to vote!” can take its toll. Take pleasure in the end of this by hugging those you were told to forcibly take from their homes to vote, because I certainly plan to.

Throw away all the campaign advertisements, useless brochures, frustrating doorknob ads and political junk mail. Getting rid of the visual reminders of the overwhelming campaign period will help in forgoing the physical and mental stress endured during the campaign.

Watch television and YouTube videos without advertisements from one candidate bashing the other. Delight in the  campaign ad-free environment of your favorite channels  once again. If your candidate won, celebrate by reliving their best speech or finest moment privately in consideration of those who weren’t so lucky. If your candidate lost, move past the defeat by accepting the outcome and taking a break from the news coverage for a day or so.

While the anxiety associated with walks to class may not leave immediately, time will heal all wounds. The annoyance that comes with overzealous, persistent campaign volunteers and the incessant political ads in every medium available to mankind are gone for a while. So, enjoy it while it lasts.

Contact CU Independent Entertainment Reporter Megan Curry at Megan.l.curry@colorado.edu.