The 2020 presidential election has everyone talking about politics. It’s on the news, on social media and probably on your mind. It’s inescapable. Everyone wants to talk about who the leader of our country is going to be for the next four years. As we get closer to the presidential election in November, there will probably be reminders that it is going on everywhere we look.
Politics are incredibly important. Our government and the rights and well-being of people — not only in our country but all over the world — should be something that everyone cares about or is at the very least mindful of. We are at a time in history where politics is not only important to talk about, but it is, for a lack of a better term, entertaining. It’s easy for it to constantly come up in conversation, especially in college.
College is a politically charged environment. Campuses are marketplaces of ideas, and everyone is constantly looking for new people to discuss and analyze ideas, many of them having to do with politics. As college students, it’s important to remember that political discussions can become consuming. Concerning ourselves with the issues in our nation and our world is important, but putting these issues in the forefront of our minds will eventually put the weight of them on our shoulders.
We must remind ourselves that it’s OK to take a break from talking about or thinking about politics. While it does affect our lives and changes every day, it’s OK to take a break here or there. Take a short period of time — maybe a couple of days or a few hours each day — to have a vacation from the election or policy or whatever Trump is doing. You may feel like you’re missing out, but at the end of the day, your peace of mind is more important than what you’re missing.
So silence the news alerts on your phone for a few days. Have a “no politics” rule the next time you get dinner. Talking and thinking about politics can be consuming. A break might make you realize how exhausting it has been.
Mikayla Rochelle is a sophomore studying strategic communication at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Tell Mikayla by tweeting her at @mikayla_roch.
