Before You Disassociate
Do these 3 things before pulling the covers over your head
Good morning,
I missed you all last week. I was in LA, and misjudged how much writing time I’d have. On the way home, somewhere between takeoff and landing, I picked up a cold. Add that to [gestures broadly] everything happening in Minnesota and in the federal government, and I want to disappear, pull my turtleneck up over my face, retreat fully under the blankets, and dissociate until further notice. Am I the only one?
I’d love to spend this time talking about Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which I saw on the plane, or wax poetic about the Warner Bros takeover, where we went on a studio tour, since it might be our last chance. But unfortunately, it’s hard to focus on much else besides my doomscroll.
We shouldn’t completely disassociate (at least not for long) or feel powerless. But I want to point out that although on-the-ground protesting and donating to immigration bond funds are impactful and urgent actions, these may not feel possible for everyone. But these aren’t the only options. So before you throw up your hands and vanish into Heated Rivalry, here are three ideas that you can do from work or home: pause the scroll, do one small concrete thing, and participate in your democracy.
If you have other suggestions, please list them below.
Let’s get into it!
Subscribe to Letters From An American
It’s extremely hard to stop doomscrolling once you start. Social media is meant to be addictive, and when something horrible happens, it can feel imperative to stay in the loop. Let this be a reminder that although the news arrives quickly on social media, it’s not necessary to ingest it that way. One thing that genuinely helps me stay informed without losing my mind is Letters From an American by Heather Cox Richardson. If you’re not subscribed, I really recommend it. (It’s free!) As an American historian and professor of history at Boston College, and before that, MIT, she provides clear historical context without hysteria, which feels almost like a lifeline right now. She’s not trying to rile people up for likes, or gunning for partnerships or making money. She’s taking the news and putting it into context, and she will help you understand the part you can play in this and the effect your voice will have. Reading her work lets me step away from doomscrolling while still understanding what’s actually happening—and why it matters—without my nervous system catching fire.
Make 1 (or 5) Calls
Another practical tool: 5 Calls. It does exactly what it sounds like—it tells you who to call, what to say, and why it matters. You don’t need to be eloquent or perfect. You just need a phone and a few minutes. It’s one of the easiest ways I know to turn that low-grade panic into action, which is often the only thing that makes the panic loosen its grip. It is scary to make the calls. (Use a phone for talking??? AHHHH!) But really, it’s easy and cathartic, and usually you’ll be leaving a voicemail. You plug in your address, and 5 Calls will tell you exactly who to call (with the phone number), and it even provides an exact script, making it simple. I called Schumer and Gillibrand today around 2 pm and got voicemails for both of them. These calls are tallied, so the action makes a huge difference. Why not do it every day on your morning commute or at lunch? It’s better than staring into the abyss!
Boycott
Home Depot, Target, Amazon, Whole Foods, and Hilton Hotels profit from and support ICE. Since we live in a capitalist society, we can vote with our money. Don’t give it to them. What’s easier than just not doing something? Just kidding. It’s not easy, but it is doable. Most likely, one of these stores is integral to your life. Just this week, I bought a 5-inch binder for my son from Amazon. There is an office supply store a block from my house, but I know they don’t have binders of that size. But if I had done even one minute of further research, I’d have realized Staples could deliver one to me for the same price. Changing our habits is not easy, but it can be done. The key is not to move on autopilot and think for a minute about what we’re doing and why.
Please comment below with more suggestions.
See you next week!
SHUT EM DOWN
I love Letters from an American. Heather is an American hero! I also joined Indivisible's weekly call on Thursdays at 3pm. https://indivisible.org They give actionable items too and even if you don't have a local Indivisible group to join these calls are great to focus on what actions a person can take from anywhere each week.
I hope you feel better soon!