Voting as Self-Healing

Civic participation can help you reclaim power after trauma.

Reviewed by Hara Estroff Marano

Key points

• Voting empowers trauma survivors to reclaim their voice and shape a hopeful future.
• Connecting through voting helps survivors feel less isolated and part of a supportive community.
• Voting transforms pain into positive action, helping survivors advocate for lasting change.

Experiencing trauma—whether it's a natural disaster, betrayal, or assault—can shake your world, leaving you feeling lost, vulnerable, and disconnected. I know; it did for me. After surviving Hurricane Helene, being betrayed by a close friend, and bringing the pedophile who hurt me as a child to justice, I grasped for ways to regain control and feel like I still had a voice.

Surprisingly, one of the most powerful healing steps I have found is participating in local or national elections. Voting is more than a civic duty; it can be a therapeutic step toward reclaiming your power, grounding yourself in your community, and reinforcing resilience.

Here’s how participating in elections can support self-healing, along with steps for making voting part of your recovery journey.

Vote as a Form of Self-Expression

Trauma often leaves people feeling silenced. Voting lets you safely make your voice heard. By casting your vote, you’re not only choosing a candidate but also expressing your beliefs, values, and hopes for your future.

Take action: Before the election, research candidates and issues that resonate with your values. Start by listing values important to you, like safety, fairness, or health. Doing so helps guide you as you study issues, connecting your vote to ideals shaken by trauma.

Connect with Others Through Voting

When recovering, it’s easy to feel isolated. Voting connects you with others, bridging the gap from isolation to community. The sense of connection can be healing, reminding you that you’re part of a larger whole.

Take action: Consider connecting with others through voter advocacy groups, attending forums, or joining a friend for early voting. If in-person participation feels too much, look for online groups focused on election issues. Talking with those who share your values can bring unity and purpose.

Reclaim Power and Control

Trauma often leaves survivors with a sense of powerlessness. Voting lets you take an active role in shaping the future, giving a sense of agency. Even if your candidate doesn’t win, the act of voting reinforces your ability to make choices.

By voting, you become part of the decision-making process—a far cry from the helplessness that typically accompanies trauma. Voting itself becomes a reminder that while you can’t change the past, you can help shape the future.

Find Hope and Purpose

Trauma can make it hard to imagine a hopeful future. But voting is inherently optimistic—it’s a belief that positive change is possible, that choices matter, and that you’re contributing to a better tomorrow.

Take action: Visualize the impact you want your vote to have on your community or country. Imagine the world you want to help create, letting that vision guide your decisions. This act can anchor you to a purpose and help you move forward with hope.

Set Personal Boundaries

One challenge that trauma survivors face is setting boundaries to protect mental health. Election season often brings intense debates. Staying informed without being overwhelmed is key.

Take action: Set boundaries around election conversations, social media, and news viewing. Limit exposure if it becomes overwhelming, and remind yourself that you can engage in the election process without sacrificing well-being.

Transform Pain into Positive Action

Turning pain into purpose is essential to healing. Voting can help transform the hurt you’ve experienced into positive action. Each ballot cast is a step toward something better for yourself and others.

Take action: By participating, you’re choosing to be proactive. Your vote can help create a world where others won’t endure the pain you’ve felt. This sense of purpose can be deeply healing, allowing you to see yourself not just as a survivor but as an advocate for change.

Practice Self-Care on Election Day

Election Day (or early voting day) is an opportunity to make it a day of self-care. Even if voting by mail, treat it as a celebration of your resilience. Think of voting as a ritual in reclaiming your strength and autonomy.

Take action: Plan Election Day as a celebration of you. Dress up, treat yourself to a favorite meal, or spend the evening with supportive friends. No matter the results, you’ve already won by showing up and using your voice.

Final Thoughts: Reclaim Your Voice, Reclaim Your Power

Voting may not solve all challenges, but it’s a powerful step toward healing, self-empowerment, and resilience. By participating, you’re reminding yourself—and the world—that you are more than what you’ve been through. Whether this is your first vote or your 50th, remember: this act is personal. Reclaiming your voice through voting can be a vital step in healing. Let your ballot be a symbol of resilience, voice, and commitment to creating a world where healing and hope go hand in hand.