Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern whose affair with President Bill Clinton created a national scandal in the 1990s, has recently shared her thoughts on how to manage stress in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. In a piece published in Vanity Fair, she proposes 25 strategies to “calm the f—k down,” including unexpected advice to engage with literature on feminism and abortion, as well as the controversial suggestion to have sex as a form of distraction. These recommendations have been met with criticism, particularly in light of her own history and the seriousness of the political climate.
Lewinsky opens her discussion by reflecting on how the current election cycle has felt particularly intense and fraught with tension, contrasting it with the Democratic convention, which she believes feels far removed from today’s political reality. Her dismay over recent events, including comments made by Donald Trump and the rise of confrontational right-wing rhetoric, illustrates the emotional toll that politics can take on an individual. She acknowledges her own stress while offering various activities, from board games to outdoor excursions, as antidotes to the anxiety brought about by the electoral landscape.
Among the various recommendations, Lewinsky highlights more cerebral activities like playing mahjong and engaging with word games, which she argues can provide relief from anxiety. She emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of repetitive activities such as knitting, citing research that suggests it can induce relaxation and reduce stress. This various approach aims to foster a sense of community and connection amid political anxiety, urging people to engage in diversions that are uplifting and communal instead of isolating.
Additionally, Lewinsky advocates for political involvement as a means of personal empowerment. She encourages early voting and actions like door-knocking for voter outreach, demonstrating a belief that individual action can effect change. Furthermore, she highlights the importance of feminist issues, particularly abortion rights, in the upcoming election, calling for engagement with these critical topics through activism and outreach. By framing her suggestions within a political context, she attempts to balance personal well-being with civic responsibility.
However, her concluding suggestion to resort to sex if all else fails has sparked substantial critique, with numerous voices labeling it as tone-deaf, especially when compared to more pressing societal concerns like inflation and public safety. Critics argue that such recommendations from someone with her background risk trivializing the very serious nature of the upcoming elections. Lewinsky’s past continues to loom large over her current initiatives, and some observers see a contradiction between her advice for stress relief and her own complicated legacy.
In a broader context, while Lewinsky aims to reclaim her narrative as a mental health advocate, her efforts have also been met with skepticism. Her association with one of the most politically charged scandals in U.S. history complicates her attempts to transition into a new role. Notably, former President Bill Clinton himself reflected on their affair as a coping mechanism during his presidency, which adds another layer of irony to her narrative. Ultimately, Lewinsky’s advice may serve as a reflection of the struggle many face in dealing with political anxiety, but it raises questions about the appropriateness and relevance of certain suggestions in this fraught political moment.