The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Viktor M. Vasnetsov)

TURNING and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

For those of you who have been able to even click upon the title: Congratulations. You have taken the first step in a long journey of grief. For those who find themselves here by accident or who haven’t yet noticed: Welcome. Let me break it to you gently – Labor came second.

I hope this article will provide a place for people to mourn. So often others tire of our wailing when we feel we have not even yet begun to hit our stride. No-one will criticise you here for not getting over it and lightening the eff up.

Most of us have passed the denial stage of grief and entered into the Pain and Guilt stage, entailing the suffering of unbelievable pain. Although excruciating and almost unbearable, it is important that you experience the pain fully, and not hide it, avoid it or escape from it with alcohol or drugs. Life feels chaotic and scary during this phase. Every news headline seems a harbinger of doom, or even evidence of its actual arrival. You may have guilty feelings or remorse over things you did or didn’t do. “If only I’d made one more comment about Julie Bishop’s hair. Labor might have won the election.” Don’t berate yourself for this. It is all perfectly normal.