Everything seems a little lighter now, the day after election day. It was comforting to see a little more balance return to the checks and balances system, and to watch history being made as LGBTQ candidates and women of color were elected in record numbers.

Perhaps most encouraging was seeing so many people engaged in the process and actually voting. I’ve voted in every single election since 2004, and I’m usually called an over-achiever for voting in local and mid-term elections. I guess it’s just nice to see so many other people over-achieving with me.

Seeing all the social media posts of strangers encouraging other strangers to vote regardless of party felt like unity. I hadn’t realized how long it’s been since the country felt united about anything and it felt so hopeful, even if just for a moment.

Good job, voters. You made a difference, especially those of you who stood in long, overcrowded lines while machines broke and facilities ran out of of ballots. As far as I’m concerned, that’s damn heroic.