I asked hundreds of moms what worries them and what gives them hope.

Here are their answers.

This weekend, we’re prepping for a prom, a 16th birthday, visiting family, Father’s Day x 4, a last-minute work trip to plan, camp packing, college planning, work galore, an insurance debacle (oy), and a big exciting graduation.

And then, there’s the news. So much news.

And the sign-making.

I had intended to share my Things I Love roundup this week, but you can see where my time went instead. Life getting in the way of life.

But I did take a moment on Instagram yesterday to admit that I’ve been pretty freaked out about the news. Then to ask: What are you worried about? What are you feeling good about? Most answers came from moms and women.

I want to share what they are afraid of, because you should know you’re not alone.

I also want to share what gives them hope — because it’s out there.

Today, I give this Substack over to their words, with gratitude for all of their raw, honest responses.

How are you feeling? What worries you?

I’m terrified that there is no way to stop all of this.

Feeling so helpless.

Freaked out.

Freaked the fuck out.

Anxious.

Terrible. Horrible.

Not good.

Angst-filled and distraught.

I don’t like this.

I’m scared.

Terrified.

Terrified to my soul.

Terrified there’s no way to stop this.

How does this ever stop?

Mistreatment of people. Abuse of power.

Legitimately concerned it’s all about to become horrifyingly violent.

I’m worried about the Big Beautiful Bill.

All the hate, the racism, and the stupidity in this country.

Every day feels darker and scarier than yesterday.

I worry I’ll be out running errands in no makeup and sweats in my predominantly white neighborhood when ICE raids…and I get profiled because of the color of my skin.

My oldest is in the Army.

Gov Abbott sending National Guard to our Capitol on Saturday.

Worried about the people being taken by ICE

Worried about the safety of everyone I know

This is what I’ve been terrified of for years. This has always been Trump’s plan.

All I can say is I’m not okay.

I’m just not good.

Nuclear war. Troops in the streets of our cities. The draft getting reinstated.

My kids never being able to launch. Costs = high, wages = low

Vaccines.

Access to birth control and morning-after contraception.

Fascism.

The entirety of our democracy.

Netanyahu’s attack on Iran.

Alienating Jews.

Trump.

Trump.

Everything sucks?

All of it.

It’s so much.

Worried about the future.

Worried about everything.

What are you feeling good about?

This cannot possibly hold.

Hopeful, somewhat!

I’m going to my first protest on Saturday!

Happy because my protest sign is gonna rock.

I’m glad people are protesting.

Feeling good about No Kings Protest!

I’m glad to see these Dems making a scene.

Newsome’s comments.

Grateful I live in California.

Grateful I live in New York.

Happy about my little bubble.

I’m glad I’m surrounded by people on the right side of history.

I study social media and I think it will be different because we broadcast this shite. Light sanitizes evil.

I’m in Paris — they think T is crazy!

He’s panicking. Losing elections, court cases, and public opinion. The bully patina is chipping away.

I love my dog.

Ice cream and good-hearted people.

Hummingbirds

Irises

All the graduates.

The beautiful commencement speeches.

Feel good about the fresh berries I put out for the birds daily.

Went on a six mile hike with friends today and saw a painted turtle laying her eggs.

Loving my people hard.

My daughter’s joy at finding a new profession. [Okay, so that’s my mom.]

Reminding myself that finding joy is also a form of resistance.

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One woman DM’d me to say “I’m out of my mind. It’s so scary … like how are we supposed to just get up and have normal work days and stuff?”

I told her that it’s the normal work days that keep us from going out of our minds.

Feel everything.

Go protest.

Turn off the news if you need.

Find the balance.

Find your people.

xoxo Liz