Disillusioned? Wisdom is On the Way By Maria Grant

For a long time, I’ve known that the world does not provide a level playing field. Some folks are privileged. Others are not. Some live long healthy lives. Other lives are cut short by illness, accidents, or just plain bad luck. Some folks have large robust families. Others experience one tragic loss after another. Most of us try to make the best of our lot in life and roll with the punches.

But this year feels different. It’s hard to believe in a system that is chock full of grift, lies, immorality, and cruelty. The people in charge seem shallow, selfish, vindictive, and sometimes downright evil. 

One of the feelings many of us have these days is disappointment. We’re disappointed with the country, with voters (and non-voters), and with the ripple effect of many decisions and policies coming down the pike. 

Mental health professionals recommend acknowledging these feelings which can help lower their intensity. Journaling thoughts also can provide clarity and a mental release from turmoil. 

Here are some other suggestions to conquer disillusionment. 

Practice mindful exercises which can result in patience, acceptance, and self-compassion.

Take up a new hobby such as painting, gardening, knitting, or learning a new language.

Volunteer. Volunteering can provide a sense of purpose, combat depression, and increase life satisfaction. 

Establish a routine. Routines can provide stability which can be comforting during turbulent times. 

Detox from social media and reevaluate how much time you spend scrolling through information. Ask yourself if it’s causing more harm than good. Listen to the inner voice that guides you.

Focus on nature. Find ways to connect with nature and calm down. 

Meditate. Meditation comes in many forms. Create a meditation practice or find a new method that works for you.

Move. Find a joyful exercise that resonates with you—dance, yoga, Zumba, stretching, kayaking, bicycling, swimming–they all can do the trick. 

Go easy on the booze. It may temporarily drown your sorrows, but long-term it’s more of a problem than a solution.

Connect with others. Cultivate friends and family you can trust with whom you have no fear of judgment. Such people can bring joy and harmony to your life. 

The Spanish philosopher and essayist George Santayana claimed that disillusionment is a pathway to wisdom. In short, he said that disillusionment can be a catalyst for change, and result in a plan of action. 

I agree. According to The Economist, Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 39 percent—no recent president’s popularity has fallen so low so quickly. 

The recent movements against Trump and his agenda are making a difference. Democrats are mobilizing and making strategic decisions as to which specific actions will move the needle. This month’s elections were a positive step forward. 

In addition, Democrats are becoming more pragmatic. Their messaging is focusing on the economy and cost of living. They are engaging at the local level. They’re focusing on electing even more Democratic governors in the next election and putting significant amounts of time and money into the 40 or so candidates running in swing districts. 

Democrats are also focusing on voter turnout. A major reason Trump won the last election was because an estimated 89 million Americans, or about 36 percent of the country’s voting eligible population, did not vote. Democrats are on a major messaging campaign to ensure that they mobilize these voters to get to the polls in 2026 and 2028. 

There is much more work to be done. But momentum is growing. Lessons are being learned. Let’s hope a wiser and broader swath of America arrives at the polls in the upcoming elections. 

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Maria Grant, formerly principal-in-charge of the federal human capital practice of an international consulting firm, now focuses on writing, reading, music, and nature.