A Ritual For When You Get Harassed By Online Trolls
When your world gets turned upside down, rituals help us turn it right side up again.
P.S. Any illustrators out there want to collaborate on a kids book of superheroes and heroines inspired by right-wing insults? (Captain Snowflake, Social Justice Warrior, etc.)
Bop It
First and most importantly, make sure you're safe. . Report and delete the most heinous messages. Block anyone who feels especially threatening. Then engage your psoas muscle and vagal nerve with this simple exercise from Resmaa Menakem:
Face forward and notice what's in front of you. Look over your left shoulder, using your neck and your hips to turn. Come back to center. Look up, then look down, then come back to center. Look over your right shoulder, using your neck and your hips to turn. Come back to center. Notice that despite this emotional assault, you are physically safe.
2. Flip It
Flip that hate into love.
Post screenshots of the harassing messages.
Ask your friends and community to drown them out by filling your comments with love and positivity.
You are not alone.
3. Spin It
Something about you scares them immensely. Their aggression is a sad and desperate attempt to feel strong again.
So take their fear as a sign of your power.
Whatever they were trying to make you feel bad about, celebrate it. Be proud of it. Create a symbol, and fly that flag even higher.
4. Release It
Even when you think you've moved on, trauma lives on in the body. But this is their shit, not yours. You don't have to keep holding it.
So shake it out, light some candles and dance, sweat, yell, growl, take a long shower, put on some cologne, do your hair, use the expensive cream you save for special occasions.
Treat your body well.