What’s it telling you?
If you haven’t turned it off entirely, you might be learning about current events from conversations with friends, your social feeds, or nighttime comedy programs–if not more official sources.
But as you’re getting the news, have you noticed that little voice in your head?
As we take in information through our five senses, many of us have a voice inside that “talks” to us. It tells us what we believe, how we interpret this information, and what it means.
What is that inner voice telling you about our current reality?
The brain is like a bucking bronco
Your inner voice might say things like, “I’m powerless”, “We’re screwed”, or “This is hopeless.”
It’s really important to slow down and notice these statements, because although they may seem true and reality-based, the more times you think them, the stronger a neural pathway you build. Stuck on repeat, “I can’t change this” or “we’re doomed” can go from shifting sands to cemented ideas.
Not only do these narratives drain precious energy, the repetition over time makes it harder to recognize possibilities or take meaningful action.
Rein it in
In the months and years ahead, our nation is going to need you, me, and all the creativity we can muster together. If you want to start one constructive as a concerned citizen, become disciplined with your self talk.
For example, you could notice yourself thinking, “The president is awful and so is everyone that voted for him” on a loop inside your head.
Rein it in, and slow it down. As they do in improvisational theater, try using the phrase “Yes, and…”
Yes, the new president’s agendas are deeply offensive and amoral.
- And… I’m not going to lower myself to that level.
- And… I’m going to limit the amount of news I consume.
- And… I’m going to support independent investigative journalism.
- And… I’m going to focus my time and energy on someone more worthy.
Using “yes, and…” stops the looping thoughts and redirects the brain to creativity.
Swap out the stories
Let’s be honest, reacting to every bit on news can be exhausting. If you want to move out of reaction mode and into empowerment, respond by creating a statement about who you are and what you value. A different kind of voice:
- I am a force for positive change.
- My purpose is to live in peace and create peace around me.
- I value living with courage and being part of the solution.
Considering all we’re up against, reciting affirmations like these might seem trite. However, research published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that in MRI studies, “self-affirmation activates brain regions associated with self-related processing and reward.” It goes on to add, “…a large body of literature…demonstrates that a class of interventions called self-affirmations have benefits across threatening situations.”
Yes, the humble positive affirmation activates the brain’s reward centers, especially in the areas linked with self-worth and emotional regulation. This means that consciously reciting affirmations can shift your mental and emotional baseline for the better.
What do you aspire to?
The key to effective affirmations lies in repetition and believability. This of it as a goal you’re working toward, such as “I am learning to live in peace every day.”
Leadership coach, Lo Myrik, suggests that affirmations should have five qualities:
- Start with “I”
- Use a present-tense verb
- Be stated positively
- Be short
- Be meaningful to you
Want some inspiration to create your own? Here are some examples of affirmations for activists:
- I stand for justice with strength and compassion.
- I protect my peace while creating change.
- I amplify voices that need to be heard.
- I inspire hope and connection through my actions.
- I choose love as my guide.
- I remain grounded in the face of adversity.
- I am building a future rooted in equity.
- I create possibilities where others see limits.
Make it stick
In order to deepen this positive neural pathway, put it on repeat. This might include taping a note on your bathroom mirror, setting a daily recurring task in your calendar, making a playlist with your affirmation’s theme, or wearing a physical object that reminds you when you lose focus.
While affirmations don’t deny the reality of injustice, they can be a meaningful part of the self-care practices so vital to sustained activism. Combined with mindfulness, physical activity, and a supportive community, you create a mental framework that empowers you to show up for the causes and communities you care about more sustainably. Wouldn’t it be nice to remain engaged without being consumed by negativity?
What to do with your renewed energy
Discover Empowered Resistance: I’m offering a new class with tools that support activists in persevering long term without giving in to negativity and protecting their energy. The live class is on Sunday, February 2. Sign up here!
Do you use our Checklist? If you’re not already a subscriber, AoCC produces a thoughtful list of pro-equality and pro-democracy actions and good news every two weeks. Commit to taking a few actions and you’ll start to feel more positive about the future. Sign up here!
Did you write an affirmation based on the suggestions above? Please feel free to share it in the comments!
I can choose to focus on what I can do that helps
Yes, Megan, that’s so important. Trying to focus on too many things at once is exhausting and impossible (ask me how I know).
Warmly,
Jen Hofmann
I focus on my internal peace so I can be an agent of peace.
I love this so much, Landi! Thank you for sharing!
I shared this list with three other activists here in Asheville, NC and Topeka, KS. I’ve supported you from 2017. Your lists are amazing!
It’s so good to know that our work supports you and your friends. Thank you for sharing! Keep coming back for more support and clear action. We need you.
Try saying the Prayer of St Francis daily, or perhaps merely using one phrase from it each day as your affirmation. Here goes.
Lord, Make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope
And where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive, in pardoning that we are pardoned, and in dying that we are born into eternal life.
Theresa, it seems that this prayer is an antidote to the individualism that pervades our culture. Sharing it here made me take a deep breath and remember what really matters. Thank you for sharing your practice with us!
From sociologist Jennifer Walter about what is happening in this country right now and what
to do about it:
”As a sociologist, I need to tell you:
Your overwhelm is the goal.
1/ The flood of 200+ executive orders in Trump’s first days exemplifies Naomi Klein’s “shock doctrine” – using chaos and crisis to push through radical changes while people are too disoriented to effectively resist. This isn’t just politics as usual – it’s a strategic exploitation of cognitive limits.
2/ Media theorist McLuhan predicted this: When humans face information overload, they become passive and disengaged. The rapid-fire executive orders create a cognitive bottleneck, making it nearly impossible for citizens and media to thoroughly analyze any single policy.
3/ Agenda-setting theory explains the strategy: When multiple major policies compete for attention simultaneously, it fragments public discourse. Traditional media can’t keep up with the pace, leading to superficial coverage.
The result? Weakened democratic oversight and reduced public engagement.
What now?
1/ Set boundaries: Pick 2-3 key issues you deeply care about and focus your attention
there. You can’t track everything – that’s by design. Impact comes from sustained focus, not
scattered awareness.
2/ Use aggregators & experts: Find trusted analysts who do the heavy lifting of synthesis.
Look for those explaining patterns, not just events.
3/ Remember: Feeling overwhelmed is the point. When you recognize this, you regain some
power. Take breaks. Process. This is a marathon.
4/ Practice going slow: Wait 48hrs before reacting to new policies. The urgent clouds the
important. Initial reporting often misses context
5/ Build community: Share the cognitive load. Different people track different issues.
Network intelligence beats individual overload.
Remember: They want you scattered. Your focus is resistance.”
I TOTALLY agree with everything you said, especially creating a “Mantra” to go to when the monkey-mind takes over.
I just celebrated 27 years sober on January 18th. While beginning that recovery by going to AA, a fellow woman in the program turned me on to Deepak Chopra. Changed my life! His books, live seminars and retreats, helped me realize I was a PART OF GOD, The Universe, Higher Power, or whatever you want to call “IT.” That power was within me, not “out there” somewhere. He showed/taught us that using that knowledge would bring peace and support no matter what came our way. He shared these mantras in all his teachings. I’ve used them ever since. After being on this planet for 81 years, I know them to be true. Being able to do it isn’t always easy, but it always, always works… now more than ever, as my entire family has been going through a seriously hard time; physically, mentally and financially, the past few years. Within the past 3 weeks fruits of that steadfast belief is coming to fruition for all of us, in ways none of us expected.
I have two “go to” mantras I use constantly…
** Trust. Believe. Let Go. (then do your part)
** “I release all resentments, grievances and regrets, and choose the miracle.” (really effective in the current worldwide environment of fear and hate mongers. I know from experience, those miracles are out there!)
I hope these can be helpful for our world. Again, I’ve ALWAYS seen positive results from these… but it can be a real test of patience sometimes for sure!
Love and Blessings everyone! Connie