Voting Through Fear: Turning Past Trauma Into Power at the Polls by Joy LoPiccolo
Today marks the beginning of something new on my platform as I welcome guest writers. I’m thrilled to introduce this powerful piece by Joy LoPiccolo — a life coach, health advocate, teacher, and speaker. In her article titled “Voting Through Fear: Turning Past Trauma Into Power at the Polls,” Joy dives deep into how our past experiences, particularly trauma, can shape the way we approach voting. She offers insight into transforming fear into a source of strength and using our voices at the ballot box. I encourage you to read through her article and be inspired to reclaim your power at the polls.
Words from Joy LoPiccol ~
Childhood trauma can leave long-lasting scars, affecting how we think, act, and feel well into adulthood. One way this often shows up is through fear of authority. When someone has experienced trauma involving authority figures, it can change how they interact with people in positions of power later on in life — including how they approach politics and voting.
This article will break down how fear of authority due to childhood trauma can impact voting behavior, why trusting politicians can be so difficult, and what steps you can take to move from feeling powerless to feeling empowered. Voting is one of the most important ways to express your voice, even when trust is hard to come by.
How Trauma Leads to a Fear of Authority
Childhood trauma can take many forms — whether it’s abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence — and when it involves authority figures, like parents, teachers, or caregivers, it can deeply affect how you see authority as an adult. For kids, authority figures represent safety and control. But when those same figures are abusive or unreliable, the trust is shattered, often leaving behind feelings of helplessness and a lingering fear of authority.
As adults, people who’ve gone through this kind of trauma may have a hard time trusting authority figures, seeing them as threatening or unreliable. This can include bosses, law enforcement, and, yes, politicians. Because of past experiences, even the idea of engaging with authority — whether through voting or other means — can trigger anxiety or feelings of being vulnerable. This often leads people to avoid political participation altogether.
How Fear of Authority Affects Voting
1. Trouble Trusting Politicians
One of the most common struggles trauma survivors face when it comes to voting is a deep-seated distrust of political candidates. After experiencing betrayal or hurt from authority figures in their past, it can feel almost impossible to trust the promises politicians make. Many trauma survivors automatically assume that political leaders are manipulative or dishonest because their experiences with authority taught them to expect betrayal.
This kind of skepticism is a form of self-protection, but it can also lead to disengagement. When you feel like no one in power is trustworthy, it’s hard to motivate yourself to participate in the political process at all. You might feel like voting is pointless because no one is going to follow through on what they promise.
2. Feeling Triggered by Political Debates and Arguments
Let’s face it — politics is full of conflict. Political debates, whether on TV or online, often turn into intense arguments, filled with raised voices and accusations. For trauma survivors, these kinds of confrontations can act as emotional triggers. If you’ve lived through abusive situations with authority figures in your past, watching political arguments can bring up those same feelings of fear and powerlessness.
As a result, some trauma survivors prefer to tune out politics altogether. They avoid debates, political news, and discussions because it all feels too overwhelming. The conflict can make it feel impossible to stay informed and engaged.
3. Feeling Powerless in the Political System
Voting is supposed to be empowering — a chance to have your say and influence the direction of your country. But for trauma survivors who’ve struggled with feeling powerless in the past, voting can feel like just another situation where their voice won’t be heard. When you’ve been conditioned to feel like you don’t matter or that your opinions aren’t valued, it’s easy to think, “My vote won’t make a difference.”
This sense of powerlessness can be made worse when you see politicians as distant, corrupt, or disconnected from real people’s struggles. When you feel like the political system doesn’t care about you, it’s hard to feel motivated to participate in it.
Why Voting Still Matters: Taking Back Your Power
Even though fear and distrust might hold you back, voting is still one of the most important ways to reclaim your power. It’s a way to speak up and make choices that can impact not just your life, but your entire community.
1. Voting as Empowerment
Every time you vote, you’re taking back a little bit of the control that trauma might have taken away from you. It’s not just about choosing a candidate; it’s about recognizing that your voice matters. The act of voting is a way to show yourself that, despite what you might have been taught by those authority figures in your past, you do have power and you do have a say.
2. Your Vote Matters in a Collective
It’s easy to feel like one vote doesn’t count, but voting is a collective action. Your vote is one of millions, and together, those votes decide who gets into office and what policies are implemented. When you vote, you’re contributing to a larger movement. You’re joining others in shaping the future of your country, your community, and your life. For trauma survivors, this collective power can be healing. It’s a reminder that you’re not alone and that your voice, combined with others, can make a real difference.
3. Holding Leaders Accountable
One of the most empowering aspects of voting is that it lets you hold authority figures accountable. Politicians work for the people, not the other way around. When you vote, you’re playing a role in deciding who gets to lead and whether they get to keep their jobs. For trauma survivors who’ve felt powerless under authority in the past, this can be a big shift in perspective. You’re no longer at the mercy of authority; you get to decide who has power.
Overcoming Distrust: How to Verify Political Promises
If you’ve been let down by authority figures before, it’s normal to feel skeptical of politicians. The key is to approach voting with a healthy level of caution without letting distrust prevent you from participating. Here are some ways to verify political promises and make informed decisions:
1. Look at Their Track Record: Instead of just listening to what candidates say during their campaigns, take a deeper look at what they’ve actually done. Research their past voting records, the policies they’ve supported, and how they’ve behaved in previous leadership roles. This can give you a clearer idea of whether they’re trustworthy.
2. Use Reliable Sources: In today’s world, misinformation is everywhere, especially in politics. Stick to credible, non-partisan sources when researching candidates and policies. Fact-checking websites can help you cut through the noise and figure out what’s real and what’s just campaign talk.
3. Focus on Local Elections: National politics can feel distant and hard to trust, but local elections often have a direct impact on your daily life. Plus, it can be easier to verify the actions and promises of local candidates, making it feel more personal and less overwhelming.
4. Engage in Community Conversations: Sometimes it helps to talk things through with others. Engage with people in your community who care about the same issues you do.
These conversations can help you feel more informed and less isolated in your decision-making process.
Steps to Move from Fear to Empowerment
While fear of authority can be intense, it doesn’t have to keep you from voting or participating in the political process. Here are some steps to help you shift from a place of fear to a place of empowerment:
1. Acknowledge Your Fears
The first step to overcoming any fear is recognizing that it’s there. Acknowledge that your fear of authority is a result of past experiences and that it’s valid. Once you accept that this fear exists, you can begin working through it instead of avoiding it.
2. Educate Yourself
Knowledge is power. The more informed you are about the political process, the more confident you’ll feel when it comes time to vote. Research the issues that matter to you, learn about the candidates, and understand how your vote can make an impact.
3. Find Support
You don’t have to go through this alone. Surround yourself with people who support you and understand where you’re coming from. This might be friends, family, or even online communities where you can discuss politics in a safe, non-judgmental space.
4. Take Care of Your Mental Health
If political debates or campaign ads feel overwhelming, take steps to protect your mental health. Practice mindfulness, take breaks from the news, or focus on small, manageable ways to stay informed. It’s okay to step away when things get too intense.
5. Vote with Intention
When you’re ready to vote, do so with purpose. Remind yourself why voting matters to you personally, whether it’s advocating for a cause you care about, holding leaders accountable, or simply exercising your right to be heard.
Conclusion: Your Vote is Your Voice — Use It!
The fear of authority, especially after childhood trauma, can make political engagement feel intimidating. But voting is one of the most powerful tools you have to reclaim control over your life and your future. Your vote is your voice, and it matters — every single time. Even if trusting politicians is hard or the system feels overwhelming, voting is your opportunity to make a statement about what kind of world you want to live in.
You don’t have to let past trauma keep you on the sidelines. Step into the voting booth with intention, knowing that your voice counts. By voting, you’re not just choosing candidates — you’re helping shape a society that reflects your values, holds leaders accountable, and creates opportunities for positive change. So, as the next election approaches, commit to making your voice heard. Research, prepare, and take that step. Your vote can help create the future you deserve. Don’t let fear silence you — show up, speak up, and vote!
If you’re ready to move beyond your past and take back control of your life, one-on-one coaching can give you the guidance and support to heal. Start your journey toward growth and empowerment today — it’s time to step into the future you deserve! Schedule a call to learn more at: https://joyembracejoycoach.wixsite.com/welcome
Meet Joy:
As a Life Coach, Joy LoPiccolo can help you design and manifest a life that’s in harmony with your Soul’s purpose.
Joy inspires and empowers all those that are drawn to her to live their highest vision in the context of love and joy. Her passion is teaching clients to unlock their true potential, achieve outrageous success, and live a life they LOVE living!
She is an inspiring speaker, passionate educator, and a highly sought after transformational coach.
In addition to earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and Instructional Design and has acquired training in Lay Counseling specializing in trauma. She is the founder and owner of Embrace Joy Coaching.
Joy enjoys personalizing and implementing exceptional classes, workshops and programs to businesses and individuals who are seeking to turn their barriers, bondage, fears and failures into break throughs for them to achieve greater results than they have ever known before.
If you are looking to gain clarity, confidence and success, Embrace Joy Coaching programs can help you reach those goals.
Joy is helping clients achieve extraordinary results in accelerated time. Her heart is filled with joy and gratitude as she works with people to transform their lives and close the gap between the life they were living and the life they LOVE living.
