Love this so much! I had to work on community back in 2016 to protect my mental health. Great idea just to host friends and talk it out. I had lunch with women I admire and it made me so happy to even get these things off my chest… and to think of ways to reach our goals.
Wow! This resonated deeply. This week, I have been focusing on strengthening close personal connections, eliminating the noise, donating to organizations I am passionate about, and pulling back from those organizations holding me hostage. Some of which, I have been working up towards over the last few years. Thank you. Thank you.
One idea that has been percolating recently is a sort of “disaster response” readiness training for communities who know a family who may receive that terrifying news that they are being deported. How can communities be preparing themselves now to support a family in that situation? Our church had a training like that day for disasters related to weather, and it made me think that we could have something similar for a family facing a major life disruption related to immigration status. That’s as far as I have gotten with the idea but I thought it might plant a seed.
Self care is so key. And I forget about how the influence I have on myself is huge in this climate. These ideas make my overwhelming feeling of “I need to do something” more actionable. It’s a wonderful thought, thank you!
In 2016 I was ready to fight. I started a non profit to raise money for local campaigns, I volunteered, I worked on campaigns, went to all the meetings. I found over 300 Dem FB groups and shared our efforts across TX. I wanted to use whatever privilege I was born with to help others. Others who didn’t vote for Trump and others who voted for him but found out it was a mistake. I was motivated. But now they knew what they were getting and they overwhelmingly did it again. I’m in small town TX and I’m surrounded by MAGA hate. I can’t find my motivation. I just want to lock the door and hide for 4 years. I hope this is just a mourning period and I’ll find motivation again. It’s hard to see that happening rn.
Ohhh. I can feel all the feels in your comment. Thank you for sharing. And, sincerely, I can totally understand how you feel. It’s so [insert big word] when you’ve done everything.. when you’ve given it all.. and yet here we are. If I might invite you to consider.. that rest is also a form of resistance too. It’s okay to rest.
Thank you. My anxiety, sense of hopelessness & powerlessness is very real & I know I'm not alone. Your very good practical reminders are so helpful. Self care is so critical for those of us feeling so much right now. But, it cannot stop there. We cannot stick our heads in the sand for the next 4 years although that is so so tempting - for things would be horrific when we came back up for air. And there are two many precious others who absolutely do not have that luxury. We have to speak for those who have no voice, we have to love all with a truthful Revolutionary Love (Valerie Kaur) and we have to do whatever is ours to do to bring wholeness and Light to the world. That was a bit longer than I intended - thank you for inspiring me. I have shared you with my daughter who lives in Columbus. I think she will love you. 💕
This can't be said enough. The despair and hopelessness are real and terrible and I can't battle them alone. I've lost or cut ties with everyone - all family and friends but for my dh and kids.
I refuse to continue to let toxic, abusive people use and dismiss me. I've isolated myself out of a need for self-protection and healing. I no longer have "community" or "circles of influence" and I'm old enough and tired enough that I could happily keep it that way.
Except that I can't. My healing and the scope and breadth of this fight demand that I make new connections, build myself a new community. I have deep, abiding trust issues. Making new connections is hard and nothing in me wants any part of being vulnerable for people again. But I'm not giving up.
I'm starting a support group for people like us. Women and people who support women. Survivors of abuse amd those who America dismissed, ignored, and devalued. Anyone who is interested, please dm me! #Resist
I love this. I’ve been feeling adrift lately and I feel like this is a good way to help organize my thoughts and actions.
Love this so much! I had to work on community back in 2016 to protect my mental health. Great idea just to host friends and talk it out. I had lunch with women I admire and it made me so happy to even get these things off my chest… and to think of ways to reach our goals.
Oh my gosh 100% so glad you enjoyed the article!
Wow! This resonated deeply. This week, I have been focusing on strengthening close personal connections, eliminating the noise, donating to organizations I am passionate about, and pulling back from those organizations holding me hostage. Some of which, I have been working up towards over the last few years. Thank you. Thank you.
Thanks for reading! I’m so glad it resonated! ❤️️
One idea that has been percolating recently is a sort of “disaster response” readiness training for communities who know a family who may receive that terrifying news that they are being deported. How can communities be preparing themselves now to support a family in that situation? Our church had a training like that day for disasters related to weather, and it made me think that we could have something similar for a family facing a major life disruption related to immigration status. That’s as far as I have gotten with the idea but I thought it might plant a seed.
I love this idea. Keep going! Also, since you’re local, it might be worthwhile to see what these orgs. are doing in this space if anything.. https://www.humanservicechamber.org/, https://www.crisohio.org/, https://www.wearefesta.org/, and https://colscss.org/our-lady-of-guadalupe-center/
Self care is so key. And I forget about how the influence I have on myself is huge in this climate. These ideas make my overwhelming feeling of “I need to do something” more actionable. It’s a wonderful thought, thank you!
Thank you for reading!
In 2016 I was ready to fight. I started a non profit to raise money for local campaigns, I volunteered, I worked on campaigns, went to all the meetings. I found over 300 Dem FB groups and shared our efforts across TX. I wanted to use whatever privilege I was born with to help others. Others who didn’t vote for Trump and others who voted for him but found out it was a mistake. I was motivated. But now they knew what they were getting and they overwhelmingly did it again. I’m in small town TX and I’m surrounded by MAGA hate. I can’t find my motivation. I just want to lock the door and hide for 4 years. I hope this is just a mourning period and I’ll find motivation again. It’s hard to see that happening rn.
Ohhh. I can feel all the feels in your comment. Thank you for sharing. And, sincerely, I can totally understand how you feel. It’s so [insert big word] when you’ve done everything.. when you’ve given it all.. and yet here we are. If I might invite you to consider.. that rest is also a form of resistance too. It’s okay to rest.
Thank you. My anxiety, sense of hopelessness & powerlessness is very real & I know I'm not alone. Your very good practical reminders are so helpful. Self care is so critical for those of us feeling so much right now. But, it cannot stop there. We cannot stick our heads in the sand for the next 4 years although that is so so tempting - for things would be horrific when we came back up for air. And there are two many precious others who absolutely do not have that luxury. We have to speak for those who have no voice, we have to love all with a truthful Revolutionary Love (Valerie Kaur) and we have to do whatever is ours to do to bring wholeness and Light to the world. That was a bit longer than I intended - thank you for inspiring me. I have shared you with my daughter who lives in Columbus. I think she will love you. 💕
Ah! Thank you so much for this comment and for sharing. ❤️️
This can't be said enough. The despair and hopelessness are real and terrible and I can't battle them alone. I've lost or cut ties with everyone - all family and friends but for my dh and kids.
I refuse to continue to let toxic, abusive people use and dismiss me. I've isolated myself out of a need for self-protection and healing. I no longer have "community" or "circles of influence" and I'm old enough and tired enough that I could happily keep it that way.
Except that I can't. My healing and the scope and breadth of this fight demand that I make new connections, build myself a new community. I have deep, abiding trust issues. Making new connections is hard and nothing in me wants any part of being vulnerable for people again. But I'm not giving up.
I'm starting a support group for people like us. Women and people who support women. Survivors of abuse amd those who America dismissed, ignored, and devalued. Anyone who is interested, please dm me! #Resist
Anytime!