On Keeping Your Spirits Up In Trying Times
So I haven’t been doing well since Nov 8th. Not sleeping well, not feeling great. It’s not 24/7, but it has been persistent. And this persistent sense of anxiety, panic, anger, and despair has proven to be 100% rational, because somehow Trump is shaping up to be even worse than I thought he would be (How tf does that happen?!)
I see lots of posts reminding people to take care of themselves. You can’t resist if you’re at the end of your rope. But tbh none of those suggestions worked for me. I couldn’t distract myself, couldn’t sleep, didn’t feel like relaxing.
The one thing that actually has made me feel better in the midst of the apocalypse was Saturday, January 21st. That Women’s March was the first time since Election Night that I haven’t felt at least partially miserable. It was the most powerful and uplifting public action I have ever been part of, and I have been in a few. Seeing so many thousands of people around me who felt the same, and knowing there were literal millions on every continent on the planet who felt the same, improved my mood in a way no breathing exercise or positive thought could.
I left that March refreshed, renewed, and with a sense of purpose. In fact I’m still riding the high from that day! I’ve been sleeping better than I have slept in months.
You can probably guess what I’m getting at by now, but it still bears saying. Sometimes self-care isn’t taking a step back. Sometimes self-care is doing more, or maybe doing it with other people so you don’t feel alone. Before the March I felt helpless. Now I see a path forward. I’m committed to fighting. And it’s not just words, like I’m committed to a series of planned actions. This weekend I’m going to the first of many.
So if you are feeling the way I was, I can’t tout enough the power of getting out on the streets with several thousand other people and screaming your ass off. Join the Resistance. Remember, resist is a verb. Act, and act together.
The Women’s March has a 10 Step Action Plan for the next 100 Days.
There is another demonstration planned at Washington on April 15th, Tax Day, to pressure Trump to release his taxes. (Based on him saying the people don’t care.) That day is a Saturday. If you come, say hi to me, because I’ll be there.
Scientists are also planning a March, the date of which should be announced by next week. I plan on being at that one too.
Today when the word got out Trump was reviving the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines, protests broke out in Washington and NY at Trump Tower. The Standing Rock Camp will also probably need new bodies since everyone cleared out after Obama called the project off.
Trump is expected to make new Executive Orders banning Muslims, targeting sanctuary cities, and beginning construction of his border wall. I expect there will be protests for that too.
And hundreds of different orgs with different missions are all following The Indivisible Guide , which aims to organize a massive, Tea Party style grassroots movement. Right now, we’re showing up at Senators’ offices, pressuring them to not approve Trump’s most odious cabinet nominees. You have Representatives. When phone calls and letters don’t work, or don’t feel like they’re enough, nothing beats showing up at their offices with 100 of your closest friends.
