The Group Chat: How are you coping with the start of 2025?
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Welcome to The Group Chat. Join us in the comments as we connect in community. Also: kindness is important here. Don’t be a butthead.
To say that 2025 is starting out rough is likely the understatement of the century. From the horrific fires in LA that claimed so much from so many, to people in my personal life losing people close to them, and especially to all of the absolute insanity that is being caused by the new administration, I think it’s safe to say that this is not shaping up to be a good year.
I’ll be honest, I’ve been really struggling this past week. I’ve been struggling since November truthfully, but seeing all of the executive orders being filed this week, the ways that Trump is setting us back hundreds of years with truly no care to anyone but himself and the broligarchy just has my stomach in knots. And I just want to scream in the face of all who voted for this: IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED?!
But, that’s a post for another day. Today, I want to know how you are. How are you coping? What are you doing to protect yourself and your peace? I’m still figuring out how to protect myself, but these are a few things I’m doing:
Reducing my news consumption by A LOT. I unsubscribed from the New York Times, I unfollowed nearly all news agents online, and I found a few specific sources that I trust to tell me what’s going on. Two of those are Jessica Yellin and Sharon McMahon. Both of them have great Instagram accounts (Jessica / Sharon) and great Substacks (Jessica / Sharon). I know that they’ll tell me the things that are important to know without freaking me out with every single piece of news out there. Also, Shannon Watts had a fantastic post the other day about 10 actionable things to do now that I found super helpful.
I’m spending more time on Bluesky. I haven’t been on Twitter (I refuse to call it by its new name) in at least five years, Threads gives me bad vibes, and I’ve never been a TikTok person. And now, with everything happening with Meta, I’m slowly removing myself from Instagram as well and spending more time over on Bluesky where things feel peaceful. Join me there!
I’m finding ways to support others. Like the ACLU (I purchased this shirt and donated), who is going to be crucial to stopping Trump in the coming years. Like those affected by the LA fires. Like becoming a paid subscriber to journalists doing THE WORK. And even just in my personal life, I’m giving to people who are struggling whether it’s financially, my time, a listening ear. We all need to come together in community to protect one another so I’m doing what I can where I can.
I know in the coming years that more will be needed from all of us, but this is how I’m coping with 2025 so far. And I’d love to hear from you as well.
Tell us in the comments:
How are you doing - emotionally, mentally, physically?
How are you coping with all that is going on in the world?
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I’m just leaning into spending time with my family and teaching my environmental science class. 🫠
I feel sick when I think about how many of these executive orders are basically giving people permission to act coldheartedly and without compassion toward other people.
All of this Trump 2.0 sucks so much. He is hurting our country, public health, science, global warming, decency and on and on. How can half of our country think this pathological liar has anyone’s best interest at heart. I am sad, and discouraged everyday. I hate watching the news and have taking to reading long novels.