Women's Rights Under Threat: How to Stay Grounded in a Time of Uncertainty

In recent years, women have experienced major rollbacks of their legal rights. This has been deeply distressing for millions of women. Even if you have not personally experienced the detrimental effects of these rights disappearing, the loss of these protections might have left you feeling like you’re standing on a shaky foundation. You worry that your rights could continue eroding. Suddenly, you’re concerned about facing potentially frightening situations that you never would have anticipated in previous years.

If you’re trying to figure out how to navigate the future when your rights are under threat, making peace with the uncertainty is key. Here’s how to make plans and stay calm and grounded, even when it feels like you can’t predict what will happen next.

Know Your Existing Rights

First, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with your existing rights in your area. Legal rights for women can vary state by state. Therefore, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of your rights where you live, in additional to your federally protected rights. If you have a partner, make sure they have a comprehensive understanding of your rights as well.

It can also be helpful to look up any ongoing legal battles that might affect your rights, depending on court decisions or new legislation. You may want to contact your legislators or get involved in volunteer efforts based on your findings. However, you do not have to spend ample amounts of time researching or ruminating on potential upcoming legislation. This can deepen your anxiety and sap your energy.

Create Contingency Plans

Spend some time thinking about challenges you might face due to the loss of specific legal protections. Start sketching out how you would respond. Then, take small steps towards setting up your contingency plans. This might include saving money in an emergency fund, or determining where you would go if you needed to move or make travel arrangements. You do not need to prepare for every possible worst-case scenari, but having some basic backup plans in place can ease your anxiety.

Connect with People Who Understand

Have people in your life minimized or dismissed your valid concerns about losing certain legal protections? Connecting with people who understand your worries, and who will be quick to support you if you’re facing challenges due to the loss of these rights, can be gratifying. Lean on friends who sympathize with you and discuss how you can have each other’s backs.

Protect Your Inner Peace

In times like these, it can be hard to shift your focus away from the sexism and misogyny that permeate the media. Consider setting screen time limits, adjusting your media diet, and turning your attention towards activities that are truly fulfilling. Staying informed is beneficial, but constant exposure to sexist content is undeniably distressing. It does not necessarily prepare you for anything that might happen in the future.

Seek Joy

Part of you might feel guilty for feeling happiness in these difficult times, or for chasing things that bring you enduring joy. But on the contrary, you fully deserve to build a life centered around meaningful pursuits that light you up. Joy is an act of resistance. Throughout history, billions of people have responded to discrimination and prejudice by chasing joy in spite of it all. Remember that your own joy and refusal to compromise your happiness serves as a permission slip for other women, encouraging them to go for what they want.

–

Are you struggling to cope with uncertainty at this precarious moment for women’s rights? Contact our practice to learn more about how anxiety counseling can help you stay grounded.