So. Donald Trump.
I’ve struggled with how to manage his intrusion into our lives, vacillating between keeping up with the news cycle and trying to switch off completely, not really feeling comfortable in either strategy.
He’s obviously a polarising figure and we all know his history and have our own opinions about his character and how he operates.
I personally find him insufferable. Quite aside from all the disturbing political decisions, he exhibits so many problematic behaviours that I can’t unsee or overlook them.
All the lies and insults and manipulation. The escalating behaviour to exert power and control. The torching of trusting relationships. The insatiable need for respect while showing others none. So much chaos, so little stability, so alarmingly regressive.
But what to do now that he’s back in the White House, bullying the whole world while simultaneously attacking healthcare, education, science, research, justice and equality?
Given that we have no control over what the leader of another country is doing, I’ve tried to find ways to stay politically engaged without feeling powerless or defeated.
This is my 10-point empowerment plan to combat Trump fatigue, stay healthy and hold onto hope.
1. A travel ban on the United States during his Presidency. To be honest, the gun problem – and the indifference to school shootings and family violence homicides – already made me think a travel ban was necessary. Add to that the draconian attacks on vulnerable communities and it’s now a hard no-go zone.
2. Make more intentional consumer decisions to not buy US products, preferencing Australian grown and made. I’ve had to give up a few favourite purchases for this one, but it’s a minuscule inconvenience compared to the upheaval others are experiencing. There are lists of US-versus-Australian products circulating online, but I just google brands before shopping.
3. Reduce my social media consumption and improve the quality of what I do consume. The goal is to limit exposure to misinformation and hyperbole. I now follow more experts in different fields rather than consuming whatever the algorithms throw at us. You learn stuff and reduce the time wasted doomscrolling and watching mindless fluff.
4. Stick to trusted news organisations for updates on the facts and expert analysis. All the same reputable media outlets do still exist despite the manipulative “fake news” and “legacy media” narratives. Independent journalism is essential to democracy. Trying to erode that is trying to erode democracy. It’s disheartening to see how many people are sharing misinformation, believing it to be true, and losing faith in actual news. How we consume it might be different, but it’s still essential to our way of life.
5. Be the antithesis of Trump – live with integrity and be a safe space for others, in both my real and virtual worlds. More calm, less drama.
6. Do something that has a positive impact on the world. I recently started doing volunteer work at a family violence refuge. It’s a small contribution, but the best thing any of us can do is make a positive difference in our own communities.
7. Refuse to lose hope. As we know, progress does happen, it’s just slower than we’d like. The backlash against equality, and the ferocity of it, means that progress has been made and the pendulum will swing back again even further in the right direction. I think this is true for the attempts to turn back women’s rights and erase gender diversity. It’s a losing backlash after hard-won progress, so it’s important to remain hopeful and stay the course. It’s also worth noting that DEI doesn’t mean that jobs are given to unqualified people. It means that qualified people are no longer overlooked. It’s how you create a meritocracy.
8. Protect my own health and wellbeing, and hopefully outlive Trump’s influence on the world. Good food, exercise, fresh air – a personal promise to do healthy things each day to feel good, physically and mentally. When I get down in the dumps, a friend reminds me to “find the joy” and shift my thinking. Although I’d encourage anyone struggling with the impact of the current political climate to reach out to friends or helplines for support.
9. Try not to waste energy on, or think poorly of, people who still support Trump-type thinking. After spending too much time despairing at stories and comments, I’ve made a conscious decision to stay informed, but move on quickly to more productive activities. Arguing with strangers or getting upset about what they say only fuels feelings of powerlessness and doesn’t generally change minds or create positive progress.
10. Take a break from the day-to-do churn of life and carve out time to do fun things with favourite people. Political noise is very loud and with our own federal election looming we’re currently on overload. But given that everything in life is political, I can’t simply switch off and not participate. I’m just making a conscious effort to try and do it in a healthier, more hopeful way.
