A Queer Xicana Therapist’s Guide to Post-Election Self-Care

The latest election season brings with it a familiar flavor of grief, exhaustion, and collective uncertainty—a weight many of us have carried since 2016, maybe even longer. ¿Qué vamos a hacer ahora? As a queer Xicana therapist, I deeply understand how these politically charged moments can leave us feeling drained, plagued, and hopeless. But even in political uncertainty, we have the power to return to ourselves, replenish our spirits, and stay grounded in our collective strengths as we anticipate the transition of power. 

The Weight of Bicultural Identity and Political Burnout

These moments demand that we pause and reflect—not just on the outcomes, but on the systems that shape our realities. Latinx communities, making up 20 percent of the U.S. population, hold transformative potential with 36 million eligible voters—more than ever before. Yet systemic barriers like voter suppression within communities, misinformation over the media, and economic inequities continue to limit this influence. While political parties debate the economy, the unique needs of Latinx voters often go overlooked and also vary by age. Historically, the pursuit of the “American Dream” has come with demands for assimilation, forcing us to prioritize systemic ideals over cultural connection and collective wellbeing. As a therapist supporting first-gen professionals and cycle breakers, I witness this struggle repeatedly. This disillusionment calls us to pause and ask: How much of this dream truly aligns with my cultural, collective, and personal identity? While assimilation can erode the gifts passed down through generations, reclaiming our ancestral wisdom offers a path to healing, resilience, and reimagining a future that honors our roots and collective power.

Validating Our Emotions and Creating Space for Reflection

In moments like these, the grief, rage, and confusion you feel are not only valid but deeply understood. Political burnout is real. It’s worsened by fear-mongering, urgency, and the relentless pressure to respond. As Dr. Ken Hardy, a Black marriage and family therapist, reminds us that rage, when channeled, is a tool for transformation:

“Shame is a major stumbling block for those with privilege; rage is a major stumbling block for the oppressed.”

Espera chingona—pause. By pausing to reflect, we create space to recalibrate and return to ourselves. Frameworks like the Medicine Wheel remind us that wellbeing is interconnected. When we tend to our mind, body, heart, and spirit, we reclaim our stamina and intuition for the road ahead. In navigating this emotional weight, ancestral frameworks like the Medicine Wheel remind us of the nature of healing and guide us toward balance.

Our Collective Wisdom: A Medicine Wheel of Healing

Here is how each direction of the Medicine Wheel can guide us. I’ve learned from elders, maestras, and colegas—especially those in queer and trans communities—who are actively decolonizing mental health and wellness spaces. They remind us that our ancestors’ wisdom is already within us.

For example, Zapotec traditions honor muxes—individuals who embody a third-gender role—as sacred and integral to their communities. These practices affirm that queer and trans identities have always been spiritually significant, challenging colonial narratives that sought to erase them. This ancestral recognition of diverse identities illustrates how embracing all facets of ourselves contributes to our holistic wellbeing.

Similarly, the legacy of the Brown Berets—a grassroots organization born from the Chicano Civil Rights Movement highlights the power of solidarity in healing. They stood firm against systemic injustices that plagued our community, channeling collective frustration into action. Their commitment to justice and community care exemplifies how collective action can restore balance and promote healing on a larger scale.

Just as the Zapotec traditions and the Brown Berets teach us, healing isn’t linear—it’s cyclical, requiring mindfulness, intentional care, and community support. The wisdom passed down by our elders, maestras, and colegas reminds us that the ability to care for ourselves and our communities already exists within us. This collective wisdom finds form in the Medicine Wheel, offering a tangible framework to guide our healing during times of uncertainty.

Rooted Healing: Lessons from the Medicine Wheel

​​It’s important to recognize that Medicine Wheels and the teachings of the four directions vary across Indigenous cultures. The wisdom I share here comes with deep respect and gratitude to the elders and teachers of Ojibwe and Mexica traditions who have guided me. Their teachings have illuminated the cyclical nature of healing and the profound connection between ourselves, our communities, and the natural world.

By honoring these frameworks, we acknowledge their cultural origins while weaving their lessons into our own journeys toward balance, harmony and interconnectedness.

North: Mind | Mente

When political burnout clouds your thoughts, it’s like trying to see through fog. Our nervous system becomes overstimulated, and mental clarity feels out of reach. Grounding your thoughts and setting limits can create space for your mind to reset.

Imagine this: You’ve been doomscrolling for hours, your body tense, your mind racing. Instead of diving deeper into the chaos, pause. Mute the group chats. Take some moments to doodle, breathe, put on to Kali Uchis or close your eyes and focus on the rhythm of your inhales and exhales.

Limiting media isn’t about total disconnection—it’s about pacing yourself to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. Choose one trusted source for updates and give yourself permission to skip the repost button. By caring for your mind, you clear the mental fog and create space for clarity, capacity and meaningful action.

West: Body | Cuerpo

Stress doesn’t just live in our heads; it embeds itself in our bodies, showing up as headaches, fatigue, or tight shoulders. The West reminds us to listen to our body’s wisdom and offer it care.

Picture yourself making a warm bowl of caldo, letting its comforting steam wrap around you like a hug. This simple act is nourishment—a reminder to hydrate, eat, and honor your body’s needs.

Movement, too, can release tension. Maybe it’s a stretch that feels healing, a walk to shake off the day, or even scheduling a limpia to cleanse physical and emotional weight. As winter approaches, remember: our bodies ask for different care during colder months, and tending to them is an act of love and restoration.

South: Heart | Corazón

The heart carries the weight of our emotions, often leaving us feeling depleted and disconnected. The South invites us to reconnect—with ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.

Think about the last time you laughed so hard your stomach hurt. Maybe it was over silly chisme with a friend or a ridiculous meme that had you crying tears of relatability. These moments matter—they’re as healing as the deeper, more intentional conversations we have with loved ones.

Seek out spaces that affirm your identity and culture. Whether it’s attending a cultural event or simply sharing a meal with someone who sees you fully, these acts fortify the heart. Remember, reconnection doesn’t have to be heavy; sometimes, silliness and joy are the medicine. 

East: Spirit | Espíritu

The East calls us to rejuvenate the soul and ground ourselves in the strength of our spirit. Creativity, nature, and ancestral wisdom offer powerful ways to reconnect.

Picture yourself under the trees, sipping cafecito, or journaling your dreams after a deep meditation. These simple acts can feel like a spiritual reset, anchoring you in the present while connecting you to something bigger.

Building an altar is another way to honor your roots and ancestors. Place items that carry meaning—photos, flowers, and favorite mementos—and let this space remind you of the wisdom that has been passed down. 

Create space for your spirit to breathe through art, dance, music, or any practice that nourishes your soul. Spiritual connection isn’t always lavish; sometimes, it’s found in the quiet moments of gratitude for the world around you.

The Medicine Wheel reminds us that healing isn’t linear—it’s a continuous journey. By tending to our mind, body, heart, and spirit, we honor ourselves as whole beings. In times of political burnout, this framework offers a grounding path back to balance and clarity. The tools for healing have always been within us, passed down through generations. All we have to do is reach for them.

You Are Not Alone

Caring for ourselves doesn’t happen overnight. Sometimes, grounding yourself means tackling practical tasks that bring clarity and control. Renew documents, organize finances, or sign up for webinars that expand your knowledge. Small, intentional acts—whether resting, checking in with a loved one, or scheduling time for ourselves —  is just as important, too. 

We’ve endured difficult times before, and we’ll continue to climb together. Community is our greatest strength. If you need support, reach out to trusted resources like Latinx Therapy, Inclusive Therapists, Undocuchange or the American Civil Liberties Union.

Our collective strength will continue to guide us through uncertain times. Lean into the tools passed down through generations, and remember: resilience is woven into our story. We are not alone.

As Gloria Anzaldúa reminds us:
“Though we tremble before uncertain futures, may we meet illness, death, and adversity with strength. May we dance in the face of our fears.”

Con Corazón,

 Cyn

Cyn Magaña is a queer Chicana licensed clinical social worker practicing therapy in New York and California.