Holding Hope in a Time of Upheavel from Robin

I am feeling shaken by what is happening in our country. I am watching hard-won rights come under threat, truth feel negotiable, and systems meant to protect people are causing harm. For people like me, who care deeply about democracy, equity, and human dignity, this moment can at times feel frightening and disorienting. My body is carrying a low hum of anxiety, grief, and anger. Maybe your body is holding some of these emotions. These are not overreactions. They are signals that we are paying attention.
 

Staying aware matters. What is happening in our country has real consequences for real people. At the same time, there is a difference between being informed and being overwhelmed. What I am noticing is that when I mindlessly scroll I become dysregulated and depleted, making it harder to think clearly or act with intention. So I’m reading just a few trusted sources, setting limits on when and how I engage and giving myself permission to step back. I take a walk, I push it on my Peleton, I create art and I engage in conversations that remind me that I am not alone.
 

When fear or despair rises, I name it and gently ground myself in the present: Right now, in this moment, I am here, and I am safe enough. Then I think about what is in my control, like how I take care of myself, how I treat others, and how I show up with integrity in my own life. Large systems change slowly, but human connection happens every day. History reminds me that even in dark chapters, people organize, protect one another, and create meaning. Hope is not naïve optimism; it is a steady, courageous choice to remain engaged, compassionate, and alive in a world that is asking a lot of us.
 

I’d love to hear how you are taking care of yourself and others during these challenging times.