WE RESIST

1/26/2025

Surviving the trump administration, A Daily Thread. Episode 4: WE RESIST

It’s a constant struggle for me to figure out how to funnel the anxiety I feel.

I’d like to say this is a new development, caused by the recent government changeover. But if I’m being honest, it’s been a lifelong struggle. I’ve had sweaty hands my whole life, and I remember getting headaches and having trouble sleeping as a kid. Anxiety and I have been lifelong companions.

It HAS been especially intense for the past week, though. So in case it wasn’t clear, these posts are part of my attempt to channel all this energy - to take an action that means something. To me.

I have very few answers in this roller coaster of life, but here’s something I know: the harmful structures (fill them in as you wish: capitalism, fascism, patriarchy, white supremacy) WANT us to give up hope and start believing that we don’t matter.

They NEED us to check out and numb out, to give up hope so that we will take the path of least resistance. They want to paralyze us, to rob us of our joy. Because scared, paralyzed, hopeless people are easy to manipulate. Easy to control.

So, I’m taking some power back by making a commitment to use my voice consistently. It might not be every day. My thoughts might be micro or macro; intense or lighthearted; deep or less profound.

All of it is ok. We need to remind ourselves and each other that we matter. That our voices matter. That we are worthwhile, just for existing. That we simultaneously have nothing to “prove,” and everything to celebrate when we choose to keep showing up against all odds.

This will look different for everyone. But whenever we can snap ourselves out of anxiety or paralysis and take some action (large or small) or find some connection or a bit of joy, WE ARE RESISTING.

Are we doing “enough”? That’s an important long-term question, but not useful if it’s fodder for hopelessness. The immediate answer is: YES. You are enough. So am I. If we’re tempted to get sucked into anxious hopelessness, WE RESIST! With joy, or action, or even a few deep breaths.

#survivingthetrumpadministration #fightfascism #notmypresident #standupspeakout #strongertogether