'The Big Exhale'
Locals turn up at the Sebastopol Community Center to decompress post-election
Dozens of West County residents gathered at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center yesterday to destress post-election. The event, called “The Big Exhale,” was organized by the Community Center, the Senior Center and SebArts, and included arts and crafts, meditation and yoga.
There was also tea and snacks for those who wanted it, along with a confidential, facilitated discussion room (that I wasn’t allowed to hang out in for obvious reasons).
At one table, Sebastopolians young and old cut out sections of magazines and glued them to one another to make collages.
“I feel overwhelmed,” said Lulu Flanagan. “I feel teary. I feel pretty upset. I just can’t believe that people would vote for someone with his history….I am embarrassed to be an American.”
As Flanagan was describing her unhappiness, she spontaneously began to sing-along with the a capella group on the other side of the room. Many others were singing, hugging, om-ing and crying right along with her.
“I will lay my troubles down by the water, where the river will never run dry…I’m gonna let myself be lifted, I’m gonna let myself be lifted, I’m gonna let myself be lifted….”
Flanagan was not alone in her sadness, nor in her desire to feel grounded.
“This is my first time doing something like this, and I was really nervous,” said Claire Dominion, who was at least half the age of Flanagan, “but I was more nervous to be alone.”
“Singing helps, art helps,” Flanagan added.
Many at the event yesterday shared this sentiment—that they were happy to be in community rather than in their garden or holed up in their house.
According to Katie Davis, the executive director of the Senior Center, many people had expressed to her that they were feeling anxiety about the upcoming election.
“For months now, we have had seniors stopping by to ask how we can be together,” Davis said.
While those in attendance hoped the event would simply be an opportunity to decompress and move on now that the intensity of the election cycle was over, many were using the space to gear up for the next four years.
“I won’t de-stress here,” said Peter Wolfe. “There will be another four years of stress.”
The a capella group, Guerrillacapella, said they had prepared joyful songs, as they were expecting a different result.
“Feel your feelings 100 percent and move through them,” said Judie Neer Liebling of Guerillacapella. “Don’t push them away.”
Not all in attendance were grieving, though.
“I’m not on the general bandwagon,” said a woman wearing a hat with an RFK Jr. pin on it, who wished not to be named. “I haven’t fully immersed myself in the depths of angst that are present here.”
“I sort of thought there would be a chance to have both sides represented and some exchange,” she added. “I am not here to gloat.”
With the exception of this one woman and perhaps a few others, all were there to come to terms with the fact that Donald Trump would again be president.
“It has been a hard election, and it’s just nice to remember that we all have each other,” said Briahn Kelly-Brennan. “I woke up today and the world was different. I’ve gotta get reoriented.”
Thank you! I wasn’t there but reading your article was the next best thing. I always appreciate your unbiased and thought provoking writing.