The chaos is relentless. Every single day, the news feels heavier—executive orders, attacks on civil rights, and policies threatening the hard-won progress so many Americans have fought for. The panic is real. It’s not just anger; it’s that gut-level fear that if we don’t act now, everything we’ve built could unravel. Life as we know it feels like it’s on the brink. And honestly? I don’t think my emotions are hyperbolic.
But here’s the thing: that chaos? It’s designed to overwhelm us—to freeze us in fear, to scatter our efforts. When we’re exhausted—when the sheer enormity of it all leaves us paralyzed—the system wins. He wins.
Last week, we talked about how burnout disconnects us from ourselves and our communities—how overwork and perfectionism can keep us from living fully. This week, we’re shifting the focus:
How can we turn all this chaos into focused action that matters?
I’ve felt it too. Listening to NPR’s coverage of the inauguration, I broke down. The relentless attacks on dignity, justice, and decency felt unbearable. But here’s what I’ve learned: the most radical thing we can do isn’t to burn ourselves out trying to fix everything. It’s to show up—messy, imperfect, human—and focus our energy where it matters most.
What if we stopped trying to tackle everything at once?
What if we focused our energy, reclaimed our power, and took deliberate action?
Circles of Influence
Okay, recently, my therapist walked me through an exercise to map out concentric circles of support—from my closest inner circle to the outermost rings of people who have my back, inspire me, and help keep me grounded. It was such a grounding experience that it got me thinking about how this concept can apply to civil society and the ways we show up in the world.
So, picture your life as three concentric circles:
Inner Circle // Your values, choices, and habits—change starts with how you align actions with beliefs.
Middle Circle // Your influence—family, work, and community. Build trust and shared purpose here.
Outer Circle // Systems of power—policies, institutions, and norms where collective action drives change.
Start small and work your way out. Focus on aligning your values in the inner circle, strengthen your relationships in the middle, and work together in the outer circle to create fair and lasting change. Okay. Now, as always, here are a few small and big good things to help you, no matter where you are on your civic wellness journey.
Small Good Things
Inner Circle: Take one action that reflects your values—spend 10 minutes reading about an issue or practice self-care by going on a walk.
Middle Circle: Volunteer an hour, mentor someone, or host a conversation about a cause with family or friends.
Outer Circle: Call your representatives, donate $25 to a local nonprofit, or attend one community meeting to stay informed and engaged.
Big Good Things
Build Your Own Table: Start a group, coalition, or event that centers on an issue you’re passionate about.
Invest in Relationships: Mentor someone new to advocacy or collaborate with others to amplify impact.
Advance Systemic Change: Write an op-ed, organize a petition, or join a lobby day to push for policies that create lasting change.
Connection Is Our Superpower
The panic you feel isn’t just fear—it’s fuel. So use it. One step, one circle, one act of courage at a time.
Now. What’s one small step you’ll take today to move from chaos to focus? Share it below and then share this article with a friend who could use a boost (or a good kick in the pants).😉
Love + Light,
Sophia
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