Five Ways I’m Protecting My Peace

When I grappled with the 2024 election results I knew I would need to come up with ways for protecting my peace to get through the next four years.

putting the power of positive visualization to the test 

Five Ways I’m Protecting My Peace

1. Limiting my exposure to the 24-hour news cycle

I’ve been an NPR junkie for decades, but as soon as the election results came out I tuned my radio to a music station. I don’t want to stick my head in the sand, but I don’t need to hear his latest bluster, or catastrophize over what he might do, what that might mean, etc.

2. Trading doomscrolling for reading

Losing myself in a book may be an escape mechanism, but it is a better way to unwind than doomscrolling. I do enjoy a snarky sharp comment on Threads, but a good story is going to do more for my mental health. With my commitment to read more I’m always looking for recommendations, so I’m looking forward to the running book theme of today’s Fit Five Friday Link-Up hosted by Darlene, Michelle, Renée, Jenn, and Zenaida.

3. Connecting with others making a difference

Hopelessness and powerlessness go hand in hand, so taking action can combat both. Connecting with others and working together to have a positive impact is even more powerful. Since the election my church has been reaching out to local community service organizations to assess emerging needs and figure out how we can help make things better for our neighbors, and this weekend we will be discussing specific things we can do.

4. Taking on pro bono work

I don’t have a legal background in immigration law or employment law, or any other legal areas likely to be impacted by new policies, but I am going to look for opportunities to do pro bono work (with appropriate guidance and supervision). During the first administration successful legal challenges limited the scope of the upheaval, and it’s clear they will be even more important this time around.

5. Resist despair

I’m not gonna lie, it’s been really hard this week. The unnecessary upheaval across Federal agencies including NIH and the Patent Office and the direct and immediate impact on friends who work hard on important things is upsetting. If you have more ideas for protecting your peace, please share them with me.