When the World Shifts, We Grow

The election and its aftermath have left many of us sitting with a range of emotions. Some might feel hopeful about the future, while others may be wrestling with grief, frustration, or apathy. Perhaps you’ve tuned it out entirely, feeling numb under the weight of a system that has long felt broken. Wherever you are emotionally, it’s valid, and there’s space for those feelings here.

That said, I want to speak directly to those who feel disconnected or disaffected—those who chose not to engage, didn’t vote, or feel like nothing will ever change. Believe me, I understand. It’s easy to feel powerless when the system seems stacked against us. But disengagement—whether it comes from exhaustion, frustration, or even relief—feeds the cycles of harm we wish to break. When we step back, we leave space for those with less honorable intentions to shape our world.

Change won’t come from isolation or apathy. It will come when we center our values of earth care, people care, and fair share, and act in ways that align with our humanity and hope for a better future.

This moment also calls for compassion—not just for ourselves, but for each other. Everyone is navigating this time differently, and all responses are valid. Trying to convince someone they should feel differently—whether to cheer up, calm down, or "get over it"—often reflects our own discomfort, not theirs. Dismissing someone’s experience or labeling their reaction only deepens the divide.

If you’re feeling hopeful, extend compassion to those who aren’t there yet. Hold space for their journey, trusting they’ll find their way in time. If you’re grieving or angry and feel dismissed by those around you, it might be time to reassess how much of yourself you give to people who can’t meet you where you are. True connection begins when we honor each other’s realities, even when they’re different from our own.

This moment reminds me of what we reflected on during Samhain—the season of confronting the duality of light and dark, of facing the shadows within ourselves and the systems around us. Many of us are grappling with the painful realization that some people we care about hold beliefs that feel deeply misaligned with our own. This can be disorienting, forcing us to ask whether and how we stay connected while staying true to our values.

As hard as it is, this shadow work is necessary. It’s an opportunity to ask: What is this feeling telling me? Where does it come from? By bringing awareness to these thoughts and emotions, we can start to see what’s been conditioned in us by external forces and what truly aligns with our inner knowing.

For me, grounding in what matters most has been essential. When I feel overwhelmed, I turn to my garden. It’s a space where life, death, and change coexist—a reminder to stay anchored and resourceful no matter what happens around me. Despair or indifference might feel tempting, but they won’t take us where we need to go. Instead, I focus on preparing myself: caring for my mind and body, building skills, and strengthening my relationships.

This is why women’s circles and communities feel so important right now. Throughout history, women have created spaces for connection, resistance, and change. These circles remind us of our collective strength and the need to decenter systems that were never built for us. If we want a world that works for women, mothers, and children, it won’t come from men in office or systems designed to maintain control. It will come from investing in each other—uplifting those who have the capacity and passion to lead and creating spaces where we can gather, support one another, and build resilience together.

Now is not the time to retreat into apathy. If we want to create a better future for ourselves and for the next generations, we must resist the illusion of isolation. Our strength lies in our connections, our care for one another, and our willingness to invest in collective change.

Let’s keep these conversations going and find ways to show up—for ourselves, for each other, and for the world we want to build. If you need to talk, share, or connect, I’m here.