How not to lose yourself on social media during election season
Election season is upon us and with it comes a kaleidoscope of campaign promises, a colorful cast of candidates, and their own rabid supporters. Different beliefs inevitably breed discussions, which can be civil, but more often than not are hostile.
Don’t get us wrong; being passionate about your candidate is great. Passion leads to awe-inspiring movements that can change the tide of an election. But it’s easy to lose yourself in the back-and-forths, and this could lead to toxic attitudes, hateful statements, and even depression.
So to avoid burning out in a campaign season that’s barely begun, here are some tips to ensure your sanity remains intact until the May elections.
The enemy is not the person, but their beliefs
Contrary to popular belief, no one has a monopoly on morality. There are toxic supporters on all sides. They spout mean comments, respond with insults such as BOBO, TANGA, INUTIL instead of facts, and are generally dismissive of what you have to say.
It’s easy to be triggered because no one wants their beliefs to be ignored belittled. But to this, we say, calm tf down.
Instead of losing yourself and lashing out, realize that every belief has an origin. The person you disagree with most likely has sources that greatly contrast yours. Misinformation is like a sleazy salesman; it’s not entirely the buyer’s fault they fell for a sale. The vendors are convincing mfers too.
Poke holes at their source, NOT at the person. Point out the flaws, leave the facts at their doorstep, say your piece, and if they can’t be swayed, then that’s on them. You can’t spoonfeed someone if they don’t want to entertain what you’re offering in the first place.
This leads to our next point.
Not everyone can be swayed
In every election, there are ‘soft voters’, people who are undecided on who to vote for, and most likely will remain as such until a few days before election day. They could also already be rooting for a candidate, but they are open to a change of heart.
These are the ones you should be aiming to convert to your side.
It’s easy to distinguish the soft voter versus the established. For starters, someone who’s already made up their mind would respond dismissively like ‘respect my opinion’. You could dump a truckload of truth bombs or have Jesus Christ himself vouch on your behalf; there’s no changing this person’s mind.
Do not waste your time on these people.
But a soft voter asks questions like ‘Why Candidate A?’. They might’ve also been an avid supporter of a previous administration or candidate, but have grown disillusioned and changed sides (yes, people are allowed to change their minds). These people are open to discussion, and that’s when you make your elevator pitch.
However, change is not immediate. Don’t be frustrated if a soft voter doesn’t automatically side with you. Education is a process, and it starts with the willingness to actually learn.
At the end of it all, you’re still your own person
It’s easy to get invested in the elections. Not only do we yearn for the validation that we chose the right candidate, but we are still patriotic citizens who wish nothing but the best for the future of our country.
But if in case your chosen bet doesn’t win, life goes on. You decide where your life will lead, whether you’ll work hard to succeed, make the most of your opportunities, and choose to be a good person overall. Not whoever will be seated in Malacañang a few months from now.
Your vote matters, more than ever, but it will not be the end of your future in case things go sideways. You are your own person, and like in the ballots, you decide what happens next. So grab a drink, sit back, and enjoy the show.
The post <b> How not to lose yourself on social media during election season </b> appeared first on WE THE PVBLIC.
Source: we the pvblic
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