I apologize in advance — I actually have no idea what to do next. I look around at the world, the news, the cruel decisions that powerful people are making right now, and it all feels so BIG. And I feel so small.
My entire state of existence right now boils down to: I have a task. I complete the task. I look up and wonder, what now? What next?
Maybe another task pops up. Maybe I get hungry. Maybe I sit and stare out the window, take a deep breath and allow myself to feel the grief that, until recently, was crowded out by anger.
Then what? I still don’t know, so I put together a list of 10 things that are nearly always good ideas. If you, like me, are struggling with what to do next, try one of these:
Place a hand over your heart and remind yourself that you are good inside, and you doing the best you can.
Pay a heartfelt compliment to someone you love or perhaps even a total stranger.
Work on something that matters to you for five minutes.
Make yourself a tasty cuppa (here’s what I’m currently drinking).
Write three lines in your journal. Just three. I bet you’ll feel better.
Take a photo of something beautiful, like the winter sun turning sedums into jewels:
Winter sedums — photo by author Call your congresspeople and demand they stand up to injustice.
Donate $5 to a good cause.
Watch videos and pictures of cute animals (my personal favorite).
Thank your past self for doing exactly what you needed to get yourself here, to this moment right now, where you can make imperfect but good choices about what to do next.
One gift I have been giving myself daily is time to connect with a friend. Meaning, I call or text or send an email as a way to maintain closeness in what feels always to be a long distance. It helps with the feeling of aloneness or isolation.
Excellent go-back-to-these-as-needed tips.
Also ...
- take note of your body and unclench where you need to
- make time for a phone call or text exchange with someone who always makes you laugh
- re-read the books that inspire you about humanity (A Paradise Built in Hell by Solnit is currently my read)
- let your pets guide the day (pause when they sniff on a walk, lay down and nap when they do, have a little treat, be on their time - they know so much) If you don't have pets, go to the dog park or visit a friend's pet or see if you can sign up to take shelter animals on outings