5 Ways to Stay Sane Under Trump 2.0
So, the news has been a lot lately.
Tariffs, funding cuts, mass deportations, complete overhauls of institutions we have relied on for centuries and flagrant disregard for the laws that protect us. It’s like every time you unlock your phone, the sky is falling.
Eggs cost $12 a dozen. The rent is too damn high. And federal funding cuts are eating away at what’s left of our social safety nets. Let’s face it. Things feel bleak right now, and it’s exhausting.
It’s tempting to just tune it all out to avoid headline anxiety and news fatigue, but that is not the solution.
This is our society, and we need to know what’s going on, how it impacts us, and what the #&%$! we can actually do about it. We can’t fight what we can’t see.
So, here are five ways I navigate our sensationalized media landscape under Trump 2.0 without losing it.
1. Set boundaries.
Mom has a point. It really is that damn phone.
Yes, we need to stay informed, but that doesn’t mean we should doomscroll 24/7. Doomscrolling releases stress hormones and pulls vital time and mental energy away from our friends, family, and the things that keep us healthy.
I have always been a proponent of setting aside a chunk of time to check in on the news and sticking to it. Here’s my tried, tested, and trusted 3-step process:
Choose 1-3 media sources you trust.
Read the main highlights and headlines for 5-10 minutes per publication.
STOP.
Following these three steps is enough to keep you informed, while the time boundary caps your time to prevent mindless scrolling. If you struggle with the time boundary, set a 10-minute timer for each media source.
Learn more about how to set healthy boundaries around the news here.
2. Notice your feelings.
Take a moment after you’ve caught up on the news. How do you feel? How important are the issues you just read about to you? Are they worth the feelings you’re currently experiencing? Which leads us to step #3…
3. Prioritize.
Because there’s a lot out there. Yes, all the issues that impact people are important. But we’re human and we can only focus on so much without drowning in overwhelm and dread. It’s okay to prioritize the issues closest to your heart and focus your news time on those things.
Actually, it’s kinda smart.
While you might want to tackle every systemic problem out there, you can only do so much at once. Picking the 1-3 issues that matter most to you is the first step towards making a real, lasting impact.
The next step? Figure out your why. Why do you care? We’ll get into it a little more in #5.
4. Be petty.
Some days are truly rough and all you’ve got is the mental image of Gwynne Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the National Labor Relations Board, walking back into her office after Trump fired her to keep you going. Pure, unadulterated pettiness.
So hold on to it. Be petty. At least Tesla’s stocks plummeted and Trump has been forced to reverse at least a dozen of his chaotic decisions. Make a meme about it. Laugh about it with a friend. Studies show that laughter heals by stimulating feel-good chemicals like serotonin and helping us reframe negative situations.
Source: @politicaltea_ on IG
Here are some of my favorite unserious political social media profiles to get you through your darkest days:
@amandasmildtakes on IG and TikTok
5. Remember your why and act on it.
It’s easy to feel hopeless, lost or stuck. At times like this, it’s important to remember why you feel such strong emotions when you read the news.
Why do you care so much about these issues?
Why are you angry, disgusted, sad, or triggered by the headlines?
Why are you even reading this blog post?
It’s because, as a tireless progressive, you want a better world for all of us. We all do.
So find the ways you can make an impact. Maybe there’s an election coming up that can protect kids in your school district from illegal ICE Raids. Maybe a nonprofit or union you know is leading a campaign to keep your hospitals and libraries funded. Maybe your current elected officials are missing something and you’re the voice your community needs to change that.
Take this course to keep your “why” central to your thinking as you take meaningful action. And no matter what, always remember: the media gets paid to scream scary things at you. Protect yourself.