Now and then, I find myself doomscrolling. Doomscrolling is ‘excessive scrolling through bad news on social media’. Every day might turn into a doomscrolling kind of day if I’m not careful about limiting my time on social media. I’m working on it.
It’s very easy to get down about the state of the world. The list of concerning topics in our country is too long to get into here. When I feel this sense of doom, usually brought on by my excessive scrolling, I have found that advocacy is the best medicine.
Advocacy is the only thing I have found that truly makes me feel better. It turns my doom and gloom into hope for the future.
I recently marched at a #wearorange event for Moms Demand Action, an organization committed to gun safety in America. We walked from Kittery, Maine to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was cold and rainy, the worst kind of weather for a rally, but I went anyway, along with 50 community members feeling equally as distraught as I was over the gun violence in our nation.
Marching, chanting, and singing beside them from Maine to New Hampshire just felt good. Doing something with my body, being with like-minded people, and having a shared experience felt empowering. I was full of hope and optimism as we marched over that bridge in the rain, making it known that we are fed up with gun violence. As we made our way to our destination, a marching band was playing “We Shall Overcome,” a beloved protest song. My heart was full as we sang along.
I’ve felt a similar sense of accomplishment and momentum at other advocacy events. Canvassing for a politician I believed in, tabling at a local festival for the Be Smart for Kids campaign, or just showing up for a cause that I believed in all seem to fill the void of hopelessness.
Even small things, like signing a virtual petition or making a donation to a good cause, is important and can make a difference for the cause (and for you!)
I want to help you feel better about the state of the world. If you’re still reading, you are willing to learn about the many ways we can take better care of one another. You are committed to building bridges and not walls. You are open to exploring new ways of parenting and educating our children. By meeting me here, you are joining the movement for a better future.
There are important causes for us to discuss here. We’ll be tackling the state of education, which requires the attention of both educators AND parents. I’d like to bring attention to how we parent and ways that we can be showing up for our children with more intention. We’ll also be advocating for human rights, like those of our LGBTQIA+ community members, many of whom are living in perpetual fear for their lives.
I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of resources for advocacy and social justice in the last decade. I would love to offer up opportunities for you to get involved. By subscribing (it’s free), you’ll get periodic updates and information so you can continue to be involved in this important work. I’ll include one minute action steps with each update so we can continue to show up for one another.
I’ll always include one minute action items for quick and effective change-making. Here’s something quick you can do this week:
One Minute Action Items
Set some boundaries with social media scrolling. In your settings, check out digital wellbeing. You can set a timer for each app.
Share a cause that you’re most passionate about by leaving a comment below.
You are inspirational, Marissa!