With the 2024 Presidential election underway, tension has never been higher. It’s become bigger than the candidates, dividing the country by major issues that feel critical and dire. If you and any loved ones aren’t agreeing when it comes to issues, then it can be a difficult time. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t coexist and protect your connection.
If you’re looking to avoid arguments and root your communication in compassion, here are some tips to help you navigate political differences with loved ones.
Set Firm Boundaries
Politics can be a triggering subject and not every gathering or social environment is the appropriate one to discuss it. It’s important to let your loved ones know when and where you’re open to talking, even if it’s never. Don’t be afraid to protect your peace by setting firm boundaries. If they’re unwilling to honor this need, let them know that will inform how often you allow them to have access to you.
Don’t Try To Change Their Mind
It can feel like this election is one of the most important ones of your lifetime. However, this doesn’t mean you’re tasked with flipping every vote. It’s not your job to convince someone else to feel something they don’t organically feel. You wouldn’t want someone trying to convince you to feel differently than you do, so don’t burden yourself either. That will ultimately feel laborious and emotionally taxing, and it may not heed the results you desire.
Explain Your Reasoning
While it’s not your job to flip anyone’s vote, you can always plant seeds by sharing why you feel the way you do. It’s easy to live in an echo chamber and their online algorithms may tailored to a different rhetoric. Humanize your side of the argument by sharing any statistics or anecdotes that can help them understand why you feel the way you do. It’s less abrasive and can be ultimately more effective.
Speak With Compassion
When you’re feeling strongly about something as sensitive as politics, it’s easy to be on the offense. Try avoiding “you” statements. Instead, communicate using “I” statements. It’s easy for someone to get defensive if they feel their character is being attacked, so be gentle with your language.
Understand Their Perspective
Everyone’s upbringing and social ecosystem informs their decisions. The way they feel politically may be change depending on trauma, tradition or cultural differences. In order to have any kind of constructive disagreement, it’s important to take time to understand the other’s perspective. They’re not your opponent. They’re your family, and it’s not their intention to hurt you by feeling differently. They simply may have just grown up with different ideals and can’t contextualize what has informed your perspective. When you remain aware of the fact that they’re looking through a different lens rather than the desire to be the enemy, it makes it easier to keep the conversation rooted in compassion.
Separate The Human
While it may seem at times difficult, it’s possible to still love someone while disagreeing with their political perspective. You don’t necessarily owe your coworkers or any passerby your loyalty, but your relationship with loved ones is worth protecting. Do your best to center all the reasons why you love this person and disconnect that from your disagreement. If it gets to the point where it’s emotionally unsafe, have enough to discernment to lovingly walk away.