Back in 2016, after the Pulse Nightclub shooting, I wrote a post about feeling helpless in the world. I stand by that work and I read it from time to time when I’m feeling that way. And this post stems from those ideas, but is tailored a bit more for these particularly trying times.

I wrote this list for myself.  But based on the conversations I’ve had with a ton of people recently, maybe this list is also for you.

• You really can do something to change the world.  But in order to do anything, you’re going to need to get stronger first. Getting stronger involves taking care of yourself better than you are currently.
• You are feeling like the world is out of control because you aren’t used to this constant level of chaos. Lots of people have been dealing with the troubles of the world a lot more than you. They’re rightfully tired. It’s your turn to step up.
• It feels like you can’t do anything, but you can.  Remember you have a community that you already belong to.  Where can you assist there?  What organizations do you already belong to that you can support better? Who are the people asking for help? Where does your social capital exist and how can you spend it?
• Stop reading the news a hundred times a day. It’s all bad. Pick a few times a day when you are capable of reading it critically and not emotionally.
• Stop being shocked. It’s all shocking and will continue to be shocking.  You’re wasting time and energy by being shocked at this point.  Move on.
• Figure out what are perceived threats and what are actual threats. It feels like everything and everybody is coming at you, but figure out if that’s true or not.
• In order to help anyone else you have to be okay first. It’s just like the airline safety announcement where they tell you that you have to put your oxygen mask on before helping someone else.  
• Cut your losses. Not everyone is capable of change.  But that doesn’t mean that everyone isn’t capable of change. Put your energy into people you love.
• Don’t do anything stupid. You don’t have any power if you if you do. Assess the risks of taking specific actions.
• Take breaks. You don’t have to fight 24/7. And no one will judge you for how you spend your time. Everyone needs joy in their lives in order to get recharged.
• You have a community of people whom you love and trust. Spend more time with them. Strengthen your groups. Talk with them about what they are doing. Don’t isolate. You are not alone.
• You can’t do everything. Work in an area where you already have a speciality, a strength, and it matches your personality. Work smarter, not harder. 
• Ground yourself.  Literally.  Lie down on the ground and breathe.
• History repeats itself, but never exactly. Variables change. Take solace in some of the ways that the world has improved and have hope in the things are different.
• Pace yourself. You can’t save the world single handedly in one day. Change takes time.  Sometimes a really, really long time.
• The worst thing you can do is to retreat and do nothing about anything.
• You can’t exist in a heightened state of fear every day. That saps you of your energy. Try not to go through doomsday scenarios. Remind yourself that you are currently safe. If you’re not, ask for help.
• Remember that you believe in education. People (including you) can learn things. Remember that you’ve changed in big ways over your lifetime.
• Art gets you thinking. Read more, see more, hear more. Make more art.
• Listen to the other side. Pay attention to other’s goals and wants. It will help you understand why we are where we are and maybe find new ways to bring about positive change.
• You don’t have to think about this all of the time. 
• Focus your energy. Stop flailing around and ruminating. Figure out one thing you can do and do it.