Just One Thing

is all it takes to fight back

Friends, how are you holding up? I'm exhausted and anxious. But I'm still here and I’m determined to make a difference.

I believe it is essential that we bear witness. "Democracy dies in darkness." We know that. What we are witnessing is brutal, overwhelming and exhausting. Trump and his administration are "flooding the zone." You can't go online without being overwhelmed. If you are a member of a marginalized population, everything you see happening is a threat to your safety and welfare. If we are paying attention at all, and I believe we must, then we are constantly exhausted from the perpetual fight or flight reaction they are evoking from us.

All of this input needs an outlet. If you don't process the input, you are just doom scrolling. For a great discussion about information overwhelm check out this video from Mom on the Spectrum. You must to do something with it. But what?

We are not helpless

I've seen several people suggesting we take just three (or five) actions per day - one person attributed this encouragement to Heather Cox Richardson. I believe Heather is one of the most important patriots this country has ever known, and I think this is a great idea. It doesn't work for me.

Even at the best of times, three things feels like three more than I can do. Neurodiverse people often struggle with PDA (Persistent Drive for Autonomy). Tell me to do three things and I'll find a way to not do any of them.

But I can do ONE thing today. Maybe not tomorrow, but maybe the day after I can do another ONE thing. Maybe I will identify a helpful thing that I actually want to do. Maybe I will trick myself into doing it before I remember to procrastinate. Maybe I will manage not to get distracted, or remember what I was doing after said distraction.

If you call every member of congress today, it won't make much of a difference. But if we each call just one member of congress every day for the next 2 weeks, that my friend, will make an impact. Even the smallest actions, when taken collectively, will eventually shift the balance of power.

If we all do this, I promise you, it will add up.

The first action you should consider doing is something that will strengthen your resilience. This is going to be a long fight, and we need to be ready to endure. We need an infinite mindset.

Pick Just One Thing

I've started a list of actions you can choose from if you need a head start.

For your country

• Download the 5 Calls app

• Write an email to your representative

• Make a phone call to representative

• Write a letter or email thanking someone for speaking truth to power

For your community

• Write a letter or email thanking a company or someone with power for reaffirming the right things

• Make a phone call thanking a company or someone with power for reaffirming the right things

• Encourage someone in your community who is doing the right thing

• Encourage someone in your community who is feeling the feelings

• Call a friend you haven't spoken with lately

• Have a meal with a friend you don't see every day

• Have a mentoring or coaching conversation with a younger person

For your family

• Call that relative you never speak to but sends a Christmas letter every year

• Fix a new recipe for dinner

• Pre-make a special breakfast food they can take on the go

• Hand write a heart-felt letter to your parent, sibling, child

• Write a love letter to your partner

For yourself

• Get 5 minutes of cardio

• Do yoga

• Attend a networking event

• Attend a live webinar

• Read one chapter of a fiction book

• Read one chapter of an inspiring book

• Watch a sitcom

• Binge watch an action series

• Listen to a musician or band you never heard before

• Create something

• Sing a song

• Dance (like no one is watching)

I'd love to grow this list. What suggestions do you have for actions we can each take to resist and fight back? Share your “One Thing” in the comments!

Now, put your phone down and go hug your partner, pet your cat or dog, take 3 deep breaths by the side of your bed. Rest. It will all be here waiting for you in the morning. We'll be waiting for you in the morning. We will endure. We will resist. We will thrive. I believe in you.