We can't get overwhelmed.
Trust me, I know. Because overwhelmed is something I do really well!
If you see yourself as a caring, empathic person who believes in good governance, civil rights, and the importance of voting in reasonably ethical leaders, it’s been a rough 72 hours.
We’re seeing hateful reversals of executive orders that made America better, despicable pardons of violent criminals, unwarranted firings, unqualified cabinet and advisory nominees (including an unconscionably large number of sexual assaulters), and tons of promises that paint a picture of the wholly cruel, corrupt, dysfunctional government.
Also, social media shenanigans. Lots of it.
The overwhelm is the point.
It feels something like this. Only a real firehose is meant to put out fires and keep people safe. Not to drown them.
We were all warned that this feeling of overwhelm would happen, just as intended, and surprise! Now it has.
I’ll be honest, I am highly experienced at feeling overwhelmed. Like, amazingly experienced. If being overwhelmed was a marketable job skill, I would use my billions to do so much good you would be…overwhelmed.
(Ha.)
That’s why I’ve learned how not to be overwhelmed, even if I still have to check myself. Remember, when I share tips, it’s generally a reminder to myself too.
Here’s what doesn’t help:
“Don’t you see? He’s already won. Democracy is over.”
“We will never have elections again.”
“I give up. F everyone.”
Here’s what does help:
Keeping the TV news off. Reading news is less visceral than watching it and conserves your energy. I know a lot about this week’s news, and yet have entirely managed to avoid hearing that grating voice from the orange piehole all week.
(The only exception was an Instagram video ad I was served last night of him hawking something or other. I caught maybe two seconds before I was able to turn off the sound, and report. I checked off SCAM OR FRAUD because VIOLATION OF THE EMOLUMENTS CLAUSE is not currently an option that Meta offers.)
While you’re at it, stop doomscrolling.
Following more activists who are doing things, while minimizing the rage-baiters who share every terrible thing. (Even if you generally like those people.) Keep an eye out for the engagement farmers on social media who trade on negativity and hate without actually offering solutions.
Been there, unfollowed that.
Watching what this administration does, not what it says it will do. Did he do a lot of damage between 2016 and 2020? Yes! But did build the wall and make Mexico pay for it? Did he repeal the ACA? Did he expand the right to carry to all 50 states? Did he “open up our libel laws”? Did he bring back waterboarding? Did he have anything even resembling Infrastructure Week? No no and no.
By the way, he promised to end birthright citizenship then too. Here’s some breaking news via the AP via
on Threads:
Chris Geitner of Law Dork has more details on Substack Notes.
Noticing what this administration can’t do. The more he breaks promises like ending the war against Ukraine in 24 hours, cutting the cost of gas, and lowering the price of eggs (A.K.A. economic anxiety 2.0), the more voters — and hopefully the mainstream media, though I’m not holding my breath — will remember how terrible he is.
Connecting with your community. Online. Offline. In Slack channels. In Substack comments. On phone calls. At organizing dinners. At social dinners. At concerts. At the place in your neighborhood with the best pastries.
People need people. Barbra had it right!
Making an action plan. This post from Shannon Watts, one of the most impactful, supportive, and community-oriented activists I know, is an absolute must-read. Be sure you’re subscribing to her for more like this.
Taking a Break. I have said this so many times in the past year, in so many ways, but I will never stop saying it: It’s okay to take a break. It’s healthy and it’s important.
As long as you come back.
Thank you so much for this, Liz. As have we all, I've been pondering how to navigate this time in such a way as to not just do what I can to mitigate harm, but also to deepen a feeling of connectedness to humanity and to what matters most. Thank you for helping us along that path, and reminding us that job one is to avoid overwhelm. That firehose only defines the *output* part of this exchange. There's nothing requiring we *input* at the same volume. Even if an obedient/cynical media that profits handsomely off the fearful spectacle has every reason to promote the sense we must take in every ludicrous drop. I like that you and other commenters have this same instinct: narrow news to a highly curated, non-sensational straw's worth of intake.
I'm thinking of this administration as a kind of a prolonged solar eclipse event, during which the best thing I can do for my retinas is not look directly at the sun. At least for week 1, I've not watched a lick of TV news and have maintained my years-long arm's length from all for-profit social media. The "indirect viewing method" used for an eclipse–sun at your back, hole poked in an index card, eyes on the eclipse-shaped shadow cast through that pinhole–has been working for me (at least so far!). I read of each new atrocity at one and the same time I learn what vigorous response is meeting it. And damn the response–people's deep love of justice, and of decency–has been swift and vigorous.
During a press conference I was at in Sacramento on Tuesday, Dierdre Schifeling, the ACLU's Chief Political & Advocacy Officer outlined the work ahead *and* already underway (tons). And she reminded us of something you underscored: his despot wish list is "easy to say; much harder to do." OK one last metaphor, back to the firehose: firefighters are trained to walk, not run into a burning building. Because studies show calmly walking forward is what works; it's too easy to stumble and fall if you run. Thank you again for all the calming reminders, and the inspiring resources.
All good stuff! I sort of wrote about this. I will over serve myself on the negative crap and feel, well, hungover with sadness. Definitely keep the TV "news" off because real journalism and honest opinion cant be found there. Finding your tribe of like minded people. Doing the thing you've always wanted to do. Like cooking a meatloaf. HAHA! Comfort food is good for the heart and soul. And get some exercise in whatever form you want...just move! ✌️💙💙💙