The 2016 election is over.

After a tumultuous campaign season that saw Donald Trump elected the 45th president of the United States, I’ve seen many reacting in their own ways — excitement, dread, dismay, elation, etc.

I struggled all morning the day after the election with a sentiment I couldn’t quite place as I read a slew of social media messages from various sources.

People talked about it being time to come together, but few put forth any word on how we get there.

Then it hit me. The response in the post-election days as we approach new leadership in January should be simple:

It’s time stop talk, stop politicizing, stop arguing, stop lashing, stop celebrating a victor or stop wallowing in defeat. It’s time, simply, to listen.

After winning a seat in the Austin City Council’s 1st Ward, Laura Helle argued it’s time for people to rally around the things we all agree on, noting that we truly have more things we agree on than disagree on. She urged people to rally on the agreements and go from there.

It’s good advice, but it requires us to take a step back and listen.