Good morning friends,
This past week has left so many of us—especially those of us who are Black, queer, or who saw Kamala’s campaign as a beacon of hope—feeling worn down. After Tuesday’s election, so much feels uncertain. For many, the results affirm what Black women (like myself) have feared: that progress feels elusive. Calls to the LGBTQ+ crisis hotline surged by 700% in the wake of the results, revealing the heavy toll this outcome has taken on so many individuals.
…and we’re less than a week out. (eek!)
Alright, so, as talk of “next steps” and “resilience” fills the air, here’s a different take: Let’s just pause for a moment. Because sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is to simply breathe. Rest is a form of resistance too.
Once you take that moment of breath, here’s what I suggest:
Honor the Need to Recharge
True rest isn’t just a break; it’s a way to honor everything we’re carrying. If you haven’t already, set aside time this week to recharge—not by doing more, but by allowing yourself to just be. This stillness is part of resilience, and it’s essential for restoring ourselves.
If I’m being honest, I felt numb this week. If you were one of the many individuals who texted me on Wednesday evening, you would’ve caught me mindlessly staring at my bedroom wall, barely able to think, unable to move my mind. And… I’m okay with that. This pause, this moment of stillness, is part of how we heal, even when it doesn’t feel “productive.”
Find Your North Star
When you’re ready, ask yourself this really important question: What lights your soul on fire?
Justice, kindness, environmental issues, safety for your kids—whatever it is, hold onto it. Your North Star is your anchor, the light that keeps you moving forward when everything else feels dim.
As Angela Davis so powerfully said, “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”
Write this down; you’ll need it when you’re ready to take action.
Resist the Urge to Do It All
If you’re signed up for this newsletter, you—like me—face the constant challenge of trying to be a bionic woman, doing it all. But here’s a reminder for both of us: Progress isn’t a sprint. Progress isn’t a sprint. So, when you’re ready, just think about one true, intentional step that reflects your purpose. Not take—just think. Maybe it’s reaching out to a like-minded friend, journaling, or jotting down one way you’d love to make a difference when the time feels right. The big steps can wait.
And remember, as I wrote in I Still Believe in the Dream of America, we’re the keepers of a promise—one that was built by generations who pushed forward, even when hope felt fragile. Holding onto that promise is our way of honoring them—and ourselves.
So, for today, this week, or even this month, let’s let rest be our resistance. Let’s hold onto our North Star, and remember that hope doesn’t have to be loud or rushed—it can be a slow-burning ember. And together, we’ll keep that light alive.
And now this…
🌈 A Few Good Things
Check out my interview with AARP’s The Ethel: “How to Talk Respectfully in Contentious Times.” You’ll probably need this for Thanksgiving.
For when you’re staring at a blank wall: “October Passed Me By” by girl in red is super dreamy.
I know I’m behind the eight ball here, but this book is a must-read: The Women by Kristin Hannah.
Love and Light,
Sophia
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