Yesterday 3.5 million people across the country rallied against this administration and the intentional damage it is doing to democracy. I'm very proud of us.
Last time around the energy felt very different. For a lot of us it was the first time we had encountered a childish, petty, disrespectful, and blatantly selfish President. This time around people are awake. We are ready. We are poised for a different kind of action. At least 3.5 million of us are at attention and acting for taking this administration down.
I love that there are many ways to participate. My family and I are visiting friends we haven't seen since our move to California last summer, and I wasn't able to march yesterday. But because I'm spending time with people I love I feel bolstered. I feel relaxed. I feel ready to handle the next wave. And I have seen that there are 3.5 million other human beings who are also showing up. I can show up rested. I can know that the pressure to fix things is not all on me alone. I can know that I am not alone.
So what happens beyond a rally? Or what about when you are not able to make it to a rally but want to keep fighting the Dump administration every day? today I want to write about things you can do from home. Things you can do when there isn't a march, or when you can't be at a march. Things that matter and things that feel good.
ONE: Reprioritize your money.
This is the easiest one. And for me, it's the most fun one. Thanks to Donny and his tariffs, it's going to be a lot easier to consider how and where you spend your money. We get a pause from mindless shopping because everything is getting more expensive by the minute. Mindless shopping is very 2024. Now you get to be intentional. Shop only for things you need and love. Shop only from brands that you want to benefit from your patronage. It makes a difference. Just watch that Tesla and Target stock drop.
TWO: Invest in things that last.
Disposable things are an expensive way to solve a short term problem: paper plates get used up and have to be replaced. Paper towels end up in the garbage. Disposable sponges get gross and then need to be purchased again. You get to skip that cycle when you invest in products that are meant to last for years to come. Look to the long term when you make your purchases. When you shop ask yourself, "How long will this last? Where will this live in my home? What will I do with it at the end of its life?" This is a quick litmus test for if a thing is really something you need to have or not. Most of the time you either don't need it or there's a better solution to your problem. You can find reusable Cotton Sponges and cloth napkins in my shop HERE.
THREE: Keep making those phone calls.
Make it a game. Give yourself treats for calling. But keep calling. Keep showing up. Check out my call tracker on Etsy to give yourself some motivation to keep calling. This is the best way to put pressure on Reps who are voting like spineless, selfish creeps, and also those Reps who you assume will vote with your best interests in mind because they need motivation and direction from YOU!
FOUR: Socialize in person more.
Connecting with others is a basic human need. It doesn't need to be a political hang out. Just being around good people who care about you, or even meeting new people is an excellent way to recalibrate when you are feeling down about the world. If you don't have an active social circle, now is the time to find a group to join. Think gardening, games, exercise, or any kind of hobby club. Get okay with feeling awkward at first. And be okay with learning how to navigate social groups that don't feel TV perfect. Real life is not perfect and neither is socializing. But keep showing up anyway.
FIVE: Make the first move.
Be the one to say hi to neighbors that never say hello. Be the one to pay for the next coffee in line. Be the one to speak up with you see something not right. Be the one to help a stranger on the street. Don't wait for someone else to do it. These little moments condition you to be the kind of person who can show up if and when much bigger needs come in to play. I'm an eternal optimist, but the truth is that pain and struggle are not avoidable. And it's possible that things will get much worse before they get better. When you engage in tiny acts of kindness and community you are training yourself to be ready when things get harder. You're training yourself to show up when times get dark. So make the first move.
Do you have favorite ways to fight fascism from home? Let me know!