This is an opinionated article. If you can't handle listening to other people's points of view, happily move on.

Now that I've had time to think about the election results and actually let it sink in that Donald Trump is going to be our president, here are some thoughts.

First of all, we live in a free country (no matter who is president) and everyone is entitled to their own opinions and thoughts about an issue. No one should be shamed because of their opinions, and if you think they should then you don't support the democracy that the U.S. has built.

I don't know if I can say I was a full on Hillary supporter but I know I can say I was never a Trump supporter. It wasn't because of some of the policies he proposed. It was because he didn't carry himself like a professional and educated candidate. He said things without thinking, which is never a good idea whether you're running for President or just talking with a friend. I was never ok with him even being a possible candidate for the presidency. He said lewd comments about women, mocked the disabled, and stereotyped all immigrants into categories that were extremely racist and untrue, and that is not what our country is about.

I woke up in London last Wednesday morning at 7 a.m., 3 a.m. on the East coast and I read that Donald Trump was going to be the 45th president of the United States. And I was in shock. I thought maybe it was a mistake and that I had read it wrong, but no. I was actually sick to my stomach laying in bed. And I will admit I was seriously concerned about the future of the country that I would be returning to. I was scared. I couldn't believe that this man, who I thought was joking when he announced his campaign, was going to be our president.

As the day went on I read articles, saw some terrible Facebook posts, and talked to family and friends about their thoughts on the outcome. Some said they were happy with it and that he would be a great president. Some said they were scared about the future and living in this country. And some said that we just have to wait and see, that we don't really have a choice. Now that there has been some time to grasp everything that's happened and let it settle in, I think there are some important things we need to consider.

For starters, Donald Trump IS the winner. He has won the presidency and will be inaugurated in January (barring any serious complications). We need to accept it and we need to put our indifferences aside and come together. I think one of the best things that Trump said in his acceptance speech was "it’s time for America to bind the wounds of division; To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people." It is not one person who controls everything. This is not a dictatorship, it is still a democracy and we the people have a say. Throughout the past presidential campaigns, all candidates say things in order to rally their supporters and get them excited. Trump has said many things that have angered people and I am not condoning his statements, but I think it is important to recognize that not everything he said is going to happen, and is not going to be allowed to happen. And while some fear that our government is now completely right-winged, it is important to recognize that there are Republicans who have voiced their opinions saying that they do not support Trump and his policies. Trump is a businessman and he has no political ties to any party specifically even though he ran as republican. And while it is scary to think that he has no political experience, it will be something new and different and I think the idea of different and change scare Americans.

I wouldn't say I am a Trump supporter and I am not saying he is the ideal President, but there are bigger issues at hand that we need to keep in mind. Instead of protesting, rioting, and stating your opinion on social media, think of the rest of the country and how tearing people down for their opinions will only divide our country.

Trump may not be the ideal candidate but there is no more choosing and voting. This is our President-Elect and future president and we have to accept it. One of the best things we can do is have informed and educated conversations with each other and recognize parts of each side's argument and why things are ok and not ok. If you are seriously concerned and so distraught with the outcome of the election, there is more you can be doing than pouring out your unhappiness and uneducated opinion status after status. Complaining on social media will not change anything but going out and getting involved in issues that are important to you will, and at this point that is the best thing you can do to raise awareness.

Things may not be ideal right now but we need to be optimistic and recognize that there are worse things that have happened in our country and there are worse things happening all over the world.