Lots of people reacting to election news with disappointment and resignation. I get that everything feels a bit hopeless but get a bit of fight in yourself. I'm still learning how to do these things myself but here are a few things you can feasibly do that are just as proactive (if not more so) as voting:
1. Join a union. Find out who represents you at your workplace and join. The more people fighting for better working conditions, the more chance at succeeding.
2. Share your surplus. If you know someone who has nothing left at the end of the month and you have a spare 20, buy them a coffee, offer to contribute to their next grocery run, drive someone to a job interview, take a friend who can't afford it for a fun trip to the cinema and buy them a big popcorn. If you can afford to buy a sleeping bag or some spare warm clothes donate them to your local help-for-homeless people organisation.
3. Go to marches and demonstrations when you have time. Show solidarity and make a nuisance of yourself. Be loud or be an extra face in the crowd but either way be there.
4. The prime minister is a racist pos. Other racists are going to get bolder. Get used to sticking up for people when you see them being attacked. Hone your withering insults or check in on the victim, shield them by getting in the way and talking to them. Learn to throw a punch just in case. Learn to take a punch just in case.
5. Meet your neighbours. Find out what your community is struggling with. Organise a meeting and put your heads together. Join Acorn if you want and if you can, they can support you in organising your community.
6. Find something that brings you joy that isn't related to money and embody that joy. Share it with everyone you know. Be kind, be joyful, be hopeful.
7. Check in on your trans, poor, disabled, chronically ill, elderly friends and find out what they need that you can offer. Maybe they just need some company for an hour so they can complain about life. It's cathartic! See what you can do to help. See if you can cook a meal for them or something.
8. Take care of yourself. Take the leave you're entitled to and use it to look after yourself. Go to bed earlier for once. Have a really nice bath. Exercise. Go outside and connect with the world and with nature. Learn how to check in with yourself and find out what you need to feel better. If work is leaving you time-poor and burnt out have a phonecall with a friend while you have dinner and talk about something other than work. Talk about your joyful things, talk about organising, talk about nature.
