Preparing for the Future: What Trump’s Return Could Mean for Creatives—and How to Stay Resilient

Today, the day after Election Day, we find ourselves in a moment of profound uncertainty. With votes still being counted, many sources have already called the election, pointing toward Donald Trump as the likely next president of the United States. Emotions are running high, and for many of us in the creative community, this news stirs up pressing questions and concerns about the road ahead. In times like these, it’s natural to feel a mix of apprehension and vulnerability. 

As a therapist, my goal is to provide insights and strategies to help you navigate this challenging moment—not from a political standpoint, but through the lens of mental health and emotional well-being. I’m not a politician, but as someone who has worked closely with creatives, I know how sensitive and deeply personal these times can feel. This article is my best attempt to offer information and tools to help you manage anxiety, stay resilient, and continue to thrive creatively, despite the political turmoil around us.

What to Expect for Artists, Small Business Owners, and Creative Thinkers if Trump Returns to the White House—and How to Care for Your Emotional Health

As the potential for another Trump presidency emerges, artists, small business owners, and creative thinkers may be wondering how a new term could affect their professional and personal lives. From funding shifts to policy changes, and from public sentiment to social services, there may be unique challenges ahead. Understanding these potential impacts can help you prepare, adapt, and advocate for yourself. Here’s what you might expect, along with strategies for emotional resilience and self-advocacy.

1. Potential Shifts in Arts Funding and Priorities

During Trump’s previous term, proposals to eliminate federal funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and other cultural institutions sparked concern within the arts community. While these proposals didn’t pass, another term might bring similar initiatives that could lead to more limited arts funding and fewer grants for creative projects.

How you can Prepare:
- Diversify Your Funding Sources: Look into state and local grants, nonprofit arts organizations, and private funding opportunities. Applying for multiple grants from various sources can help you remain financially secure in case of federal cuts.
- Network Within Your Arts Community: Join local arts alliances or coalitions. These groups often advocate for funding, provide grant information, and offer financial resources for artists.

2. Business Policy Changes Affecting Small Businesses and Freelancers

Creative professionals and freelancers should consider possible policy changes related to taxes, healthcare, and business regulations. Some changes under the previous Trump administration included tax cuts that primarily benefited larger corporations, alongside proposed reforms to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which affected healthcare access for small business owners and freelancers.

How you can Prepare:
​- Stay Informed on Tax Policy: Check for updates on deductions and incentives that may impact your income. Consult with a financial advisor or tax professional, especially if new tax changes affect small business write-offs.
- Consider Health Insurance Alternatives: If you rely on the ACA or other public options for healthcare, it may be wise to research different insurance plans or alternative healthcare options to maintain coverage.

3. Navigating Public Sentiment and Cultural Shifts

During Trump’s initial term, heightened political division affected social attitudes, including those toward the arts. Artists may find themselves navigating a polarized audience, especially if their work addresses social or political themes. For creative thinkers who thrive on open dialogue and exchange, this polarization can be challenging.

How you can Prepare:
- Stay Grounded in Your Artistic Vision: Remember the purpose behind your work, and focus on what you aim to communicate, regardless of changing opinions or backlash.
- Cultivate Community: Connect with other like-minded creators to share insights, collaborate, and find support. A strong community of peers can help you stay motivated and confident in your message. 

4. Emotional Health Strategies for Creative Resilience

Political shifts can feel unsettling, especially if they threaten your livelihood or creative expression. Taking care of your emotional health during times of change is essential for both personal well-being and professional longevity.

Tips for Emotional Self-Care:
- Set Boundaries with Media Consumption: News cycles during election season can be overwhelming. Limit your exposure to avoid burnout, and choose reliable sources for updates to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.
- Prioritize Rest and Creativity: Create time for projects that inspire you. Even when things feel uncertain, immersing yourself in meaningful work can bring balance and purpose.
- Practice Mindfulness or Grounding Techniques: Mindfulness and grounding exercises can reduce stress and help you stay focused. Simple breathing exercises, a walk in nature, or moments of stillness can keep you centered.

5. Advocate for Your Needs Locally

Local advocacy can be empowering, especially if national policies feel out of your control. Supporting local arts organizations, attending town halls, or participating in local government meetings can amplify your voice.

Ways to Advocate:
- Support Local Arts Programs: Engage with community-driven arts organizations. Attend events, volunteer, or contribute financially if possible.
- Communicate with Local Representatives: Reach out to representatives in your area to express the importance of supporting the arts and small businesses. Share personal stories about how policies impact your work and well-being.
- Collaborate with Other Local Businesses: Small business coalitions can create collective strength. Working with others in your area allows for shared resources, community events, and increased visibility.

Looking Ahead with Resilience and Purpose
While a possible Trump return may bring challenges, you have options to prepare, protect your creativity, and advocate for support. Strengthening your support network, staying informed, and maintaining a balanced approach to change can make a positive difference in how you face the future. Whatever unfolds, remember that your creative work adds value, perspective, and beauty to a changing world.

6. Prioritizing Emotional Health After Election Day: Managing Fear and Anxiety

The period after election day can bring heightened emotions, whether it’s stress, fear, or anxiety about potential changes. For creative thinkers, who often experience the world in vivid, nuanced ways, these feelings can feel particularly intense. Taking proactive steps to protect your mental well-being can help you navigate this time with clarity and resilience.

Strategies for Managing Post-Election Anxiety:
- Acknowledge and Name Your Emotions: Recognize any anxiety, frustration, or fear, and remember these feelings are valid responses. Giving them a name and space can often lessen their intensity, allowing you to address them constructively.
- Focus on What You Can Control: While broader outcomes may be out of your control, focusing on small, actionable steps can be grounding. Direct energy toward your creative projects, community work, or personal routines—things that bring you joy and stability.
- Limit Exposure to Stressful Media: After election day, news updates and social media reactions can be overwhelming. Set boundaries around how much news you consume, and avoid sources that heighten your anxiety. Give yourself permission to take a step back.
- Use Creativity as an Outlet: Whether through art, writing, or other mediums, channeling your feelings into creative work can be therapeutic. Use this time to create pieces that reflect your experiences, explore your inner world, or provide a sense of hope and connection to others.

Connect with a Support Network
Lean on friends, family, or fellow creatives who understand the unique challenges you’re facing. Talking through your concerns can relieve anxiety, and hearing from others often helps put things into perspective. If you need additional support, consider reaching out to a counselor or therapist to navigate these feelings.

Practicing Self-Compassion
During times of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Remember to be kind to yourself and acknowledge your efforts to manage your emotional health. Small acts of self-care, like resting, journaling, or taking a walk, can make a big difference. These moments of mindfulness can be powerful reminders that your well-being matters.

By focusing on self-care, creative expression, and meaningful connections, you can protect your emotional health through any period of uncertainty.

7. Special Considerations for Creative Women: Navigating Unique Challenges

For creative women, another Trump term may bring specific challenges, especially around rights, representation, and workplace equity. Women working in creative fields, whether as entrepreneurs, artists, or performers, may face increased stress related to policy changes and shifts in cultural attitudes. Understanding these potential impacts and preparing for them can help empower you to continue pursuing your work confidently.

Recognizing Gender-Specific Concerns
Creative women may encounter challenges in areas like funding access, representation in male-dominated fields, and policy changes that could affect women’s healthcare, economic security, and rights. Awareness of these issues allows you to proactively seek support and advocate for your needs.

Strategies to Stay Empowered and Resilient:
- Build a Supportive Network of Other Creative Women: Connecting with like-minded women in the arts can provide mutual encouragement, advice, and advocacy. Networks like local women's art groups, business associations, and mentorship programs can be valuable sources of support, resources, and empowerment.
- Seek Out Women-Focused Funding and Opportunities: In light of potential shifts in public arts funding, explore grants, residencies, and scholarships specifically geared toward women creators. Many foundations and nonprofits offer financial support for projects led by women, as well as resources that highlight and elevate women’s work.
- Prioritize Self-Care Practices for Emotional Resilience: Women in creative fields are often balancing multiple roles and may be more susceptible to stress during times of social and political change. Embrace self-care practices that fit your lifestyle, such as journaling, creative meditation, or even organizing regular gatherings with friends and fellow artists for support.
  
Advocating for Women’s Rights Locally
Community advocacy can be a powerful way to influence change and gain visibility for women’s issues, especially if federal support becomes more limited. Consider participating in local events or organizations that uplift women’s voices. Volunteering, attending city council meetings, or connecting with women-led groups can amplify your impact and contribute to meaningful change for creative women.

Celebrate Your Work and Voice
In times of political uncertainty, it’s crucial for women to celebrate and take pride in their creative contributions. Embrace your unique perspective as a woman creator, and remember that your voice matters. Whether you are highlighting women’s issues in your work or pursuing your craft independently, your contributions add to a broader movement of resilience, representation, and progress for women in the creative world.

By connecting with other creative women, finding resources tailored to your needs, and advocating for yourself locally, you can stay empowered and resilient, no matter what challenges may come.

8. Special Considerations for the LGBTQ+ Creative Community: Navigating Unique Challenges and Finding Support

For LGBTQ+ creatives, another Trump term could bring specific concerns around rights, visibility, and access to resources that support inclusivity. Policies and cultural shifts may impact the LGBTQ+ community uniquely, and creative professionals in this group may need to prepare for challenges related to expression, funding, and representation. By understanding these potential impacts and seeking out inclusive support systems, LGBTQ+ creators can continue to thrive and share their voices with resilience.

Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights and Representation in Creative Fields  
If federal protections or resources for LGBTQ+ individuals are reduced, there may be additional barriers in areas like anti-discrimination protections, healthcare access, and funding for projects that center LGBTQ+ perspectives. Creatives who address LGBTQ+ themes in their work may face heightened censorship or societal pushback in certain areas, impacting the ability to share these perspectives freely.

Strategies to Stay Empowered:
- Seek Out LGBTQ+ Friendly Funding and Spaces: Look for grants, fellowships, and spaces specifically geared toward LGBTQ+ creatives. Many organizations offer funding and community support tailored to LGBTQ+ artists, including safe spaces to showcase work that might be considered marginalized or vulnerable in other settings.
- Network Within LGBTQ+ Creative Communities: Connecting with other LGBTQ+ artists, performers, writers, and entrepreneurs can provide a safe space for collaboration, mentorship, and shared resources. LGBTQ+ creative networks, local centers, and online communities offer invaluable support and a place to find solidarity.
- Create Safeguards for Self-Expression: As public attitudes shift, some LGBTQ+ creators may feel pressure to self-censor, especially in areas where acceptance is limited. Establishing safe outlets—whether personal projects, private networks, or secure online platforms—ensures you can continue creating authentically and fearlessly.

Prioritize Emotional Health with LGBTQ+ Affirming Practices  
Heightened stress, discrimination, or changes in policy can impact emotional well-being. LGBTQ+ creatives may experience this uniquely, as they navigate how policies impact both personal and professional aspects of life. Prioritizing mental health through affirming practices and LGBTQ+ friendly resources is essential.

Ways to Care for Your Emotional Health:
- Connect with LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resources: Finding counselors, therapists, or support groups who specialize in LGBTQ+ issues can provide the affirmation and understanding needed to process difficult feelings or societal changes.
- Engage in Affirming Self-Care: Embrace activities that reinforce your identity and sense of pride—whether through creating, connecting with supportive friends, or participating in LGBTQ+ events and spaces.
- Limit Exposure to Negative Media: With the rise in political tensions, media can amplify messages that feel invalidating or stressful. Be selective in your media consumption and engage with sources that recognize and celebrate LGBTQ+ voices and perspectives.

Advocate for LGBTQ+ Rights Locally and Amplify Your Voice  
Advocacy at the local level can amplify your voice and support the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Many local governments and organizations are committed to protecting LGBTQ+ rights and providing platforms for LGBTQ+ creatives. Engaging with these efforts can create both meaningful change and a greater sense of solidarity within the community.

Ways to Advocate:
- Get Involved with Local LGBTQ+ Organizations: Volunteering with LGBTQ+ centers or joining local advocacy groups can increase visibility for LGBTQ+ issues and create opportunities for public representation.
- Support Inclusive Events and Creative Spaces: Seek out or create events that spotlight LGBTQ+ artists. These gatherings create welcoming environments for the community and allow for self-expression without censorship.
- Collaborate with Allies and LGBTQ+ Advocates: Building relationships with allies in your community can amplify your message and increase access to resources. Ally-supported collaborations help foster environments where LGBTQ+ artists feel seen, valued, and empowered.

In times of uncertainty, your voice as an LGBTQ+ creative is vital to fostering inclusivity, diversity, and representation in the arts. By staying connected with affirming communities, advocating for your rights locally, and prioritizing self-care, you can continue making an impact as a resilient, empowered creator.

9. Special Considerations for Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation: Navigating Creativity When You Don’t Feel Represented

For many creative individuals from marginalized backgrounds, a lack of representation and support can be a persistent challenge, especially if national policies and cultural attitudes shift away from inclusive ideals. Artists, writers, and creators who are BIPOC, from immigrant communities, or from other underrepresented groups may feel the weight of these shifts more heavily, as opportunities for visibility and recognition can diminish. Here are ways to stay empowered, find community, and advocate for authentic representation, even when it feels limited.

Acknowledging the Impact of Limited Representation
When you don’t see yourself reflected in mainstream media, galleries, publishing, or the business world, it can feel discouraging and isolating. Limited representation often leads to fewer resources, reduced funding for projects that center diverse voices, and barriers to sharing work on a broader stage. Recognizing these challenges can help you find paths toward community-driven support and alternative spaces for authentic self-expression.

Strategies to Empower Yourself as a Diverse Creator:
- Seek Out and Create Inclusive Spaces: Inclusive spaces are essential for marginalized voices to thrive. Look for platforms, events, and organizations dedicated to promoting diversity. If these spaces don’t exist locally, consider creating them—whether as community meet-ups, online forums, or small exhibitions—to celebrate and support underrepresented creators.
- Apply to Diversity-Focused Grants and Programs: Many grant programs and residencies are designed specifically for underrepresented creators. Explore funding opportunities that align with your background, as these resources often recognize the unique challenges you face and are geared toward amplifying your work.
- Build a Support Network Across Identities: Connect with others who understand the need for greater representation in the arts. By finding allies from both similar and different backgrounds, you can create a collective voice that is stronger, and that amplifies the need for inclusivity across creative spaces.

Using Your Work to Challenge Stereotypes and Inspire Change
Creating as an underrepresented individual gives you a powerful platform to challenge stereotypes and highlight perspectives that are often overlooked. Your voice can play a critical role in fostering understanding, empathy, and cultural awareness.

Ways to Use Your Art for Advocacy:
- Tell Stories of Your Community: Share the experiences, beauty, and resilience of your background or community. Art that reflects underrepresented perspectives not only challenges misconceptions but also gives others from similar backgrounds a sense of belonging and visibility.
- Collaborate on Projects that Foster Inclusion: Work with other creators or organizations that prioritize diversity and inclusion. Collaboration can strengthen your message, allowing you to reach broader audiences and showcase the richness of diverse experiences.
- Engage with Social Media as a Platform for Representation: Social media provides a powerful tool for marginalized voices to connect directly with audiences, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. Use these platforms to share your work, build a community, and foster discussions around diversity and representation.

Self-Care and Resilience for Marginalized Creatives
Experiencing a lack of representation or acceptance can take an emotional toll, making it essential to prioritize mental health and build resilience. Creative work is often deeply personal, and when you don’t feel recognized, it’s easy to question your place in the industry.

Ways to Care for Your Emotional Health and Well-Being:
- Affirm Your Unique Voice and Vision: Remind yourself that your experiences, identity, and perspective are valuable. Your work has meaning, even if it challenges the dominant narratives in your field.
- Limit Exposure to Dismissive or Exclusionary Spaces: Minimize time in spaces that don’t support diversity or acknowledge your identity. Prioritize environments where your work is respected and appreciated for its uniqueness.
- Celebrate Milestones with Your Community: Connect with friends, family, or supportive peers who understand your journey. Celebrating small achievements with people who value your work can strengthen your sense of belonging and pride.

Advocating for Greater Representation Locally
Local initiatives often shape broader social change. By advocating for representation in your local community, you can inspire change that creates more inclusive spaces for all.

How to Advocate for Representation:
- Partner with Local Arts Councils or Organizations: Engage with local arts councils or nonprofits that promote diversity and inclusion. Share your vision for more inclusive policies or programs that benefit underrepresented creators.
- Attend and Support Local Events Centered on Diversity: Participate in events that spotlight marginalized voices. Your presence not only supports other creators but also helps build a visible community of underrepresented artists.
- Raise Awareness About Representation in Your Community: Start conversations about representation and inclusivity with local decision-makers or community leaders. By sharing your experiences, you can help others understand the importance of diverse voices in creative spaces.

Creating without feeling represented can be challenging, but your work has the power to foster dialogue, challenge norms, and inspire change. By seeking out inclusive spaces, using your art to advocate for your community, and taking care of your well-being, you can stay resilient and make an impact that matters.

10. Supporting Creatives Seeking Help: Counseling and Coaching at Creatively, LLC

If you're feeling the weight of uncertain times or struggling to find your footing as a creative, know that support is available. At Creatively, LLC, we offer specialized counseling and coaching services designed with the unique needs of creatives in mind. We understand that artists, writers, performers, and creative thinkers often experience life through a highly sensitive, imaginative lens, which can amplify both the joys and the challenges of navigating today’s world.

How Creatively, LLC Can Support Your Journey
Our mission at Creatively, LLC is to provide a safe, affirming space where creatives can process their experiences, explore their passions, and develop emotional resilience. Our services are tailored to help you understand and harness your creative nature while addressing challenges such as stress, self-doubt, and feeling undervalued or misunderstood.

Our Services Include:
- Individual Counseling for Creative Professionals: Through one-on-one sessions, we help you work through personal and professional challenges, from managing anxiety and overcoming creative blocks to navigating feelings of isolation. Our therapeutic approach is built to respect and nurture your unique perspective as a creative person.
- Creativity Coaching for Growth and Goal-Setting: Whether you’re looking to launch a new project, overcome roadblocks, or define your creative path, our coaching services focus on practical strategies for growth. We offer personalized support that helps you align your artistic goals with your personal and professional aspirations.
- Concierge Therapy: For those needing an accessible, responsive level of support, our concierge therapy service is available to help you address emerging challenges in real-time, giving you tools and insights to manage creative and personal struggles as they arise.

Building Emotional Resilience and Confidence
Our approach emphasizes emotional well-being and resilience, helping you develop the skills to stay balanced and grounded during times of uncertainty. We provide guidance on techniques for self-care, stress management, and emotional regulation that complement your creative lifestyle. With tools tailored to creative people, you can learn to thrive emotionally and artistically, regardless of external circumstances.

Embrace Your Creative Vitality
Our unique Creative Vitality Theory recognizes the importance of nurturing creativity for overall well-being. We believe that creativity is a vital part of a healthy, fulfilling life for artists and creators. Whether you’re feeling creatively blocked or are simply in need of a supportive space to explore your goals, Creatively, LLC is here to help you reconnect with your creative spirit and find the tools you need to succeed.

How to Get Started
If you’re ready to take the next step in caring for your mental and emotional health, reach out to us at Creatively, LLC. Schedule a consultation to discuss your needs, learn about our services, and find the right support to move forward confidently in your creative journey.

We understand that your creativity is more than a profession—it’s a part of who you are. Let us help you protect, nurture, and celebrate it as you navigate both the rewards and challenges of life as a creative.