DO IT YOURSELF
It is easy to feel helpless and hopeless from time to time. You might feel that you are powerless to make or effect change in the wider world. That couldn’t be further from reality. There are so many things that you can do.
Every voice matters and deserves to be heard.
If you are concerned about the state of the world, climate change and policies that are going in the wrong direction regarding our health and future – now more than ever – you are needed. Dust off those civics textbooks and roll up your sleeves. Here are some ideas to help you get engaged and become more self-reliant. Get ready to go above and beyond.
Peacefully Protest
Sometimes it takes getting out from behind your desk or off your couch to be heard. Not to worry, there are plenty of peaceful marches and protests that you can participate in and plenty of online resources to tell you when and where they will occur. Remember, the key is to be peaceful while making your point and listen to the concerns of others.
“Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Make a sign, hit the streets and share a day of community with your friends and neighbors to tell the world that you expect change. One voice is strong but many voices are powerful.
Vote!
Being a citizen in a democracy takes some work. One of the greatest privileges is being able to vote – and no, the outcome may not always be what you want it to be. Many groups have had to fight for this right and too often this is still repressed. It is easy to take something for granted if you have always had it. As a form of protest or descent, some people choose to not vote at all. That is certainly their right. However, not voting takes away your voice and will result in unintended consequences. So, vote. Please.
Run for Office
This isn’t for everybody but maybe it is for you. If you have grown tired of the choices that you have when it comes to those in office, it may be time to take on the responsibility of running for office yourself. OK, so running for President right out of gate may be a little over ambitious for everyone. Not to worry. There are plenty of local positions in your community that could benefit from a fresh face. There are also a lot of organizations looking to support new candidates for local, state and even national races. Connecting with your local party office is a good way to find out what is open. In so many areas, candidates run without opposition so they get in by default. That doesn’t make them the best person for the job. Maybe that best person is you.
Contact Public Officials
It is very necessary to let your public officials know your thoughts on how they vote on bills. They may not always listen or do what you expect but that doesn’t mean that they don’t hear you. Call your elected officials, email, reach out on social media, and write to them. There are also apps that can help you to engage them via text messages. The important thing to remember when you reach out is to be polite and prepared so that you can get your point across succinctly. These representatives are supposed to work for us.
Write
Op-eds, blog posts, stories, essays, and poetry are all ways that you can express yourself and share your opinions. The very act of writing down your thoughts can be a highly therapeutic way of getting your feelings out and managing stress. If you don’t want to share what you write, keep a journal. Don’t bottle it up. It’s better for your mental health to express your feelings.
Teach
Do you have a skill that someone might want to learn? Are you talented at something that may help another person? Your talents and abilities have value to others. Teaching someone else can be a very rewarding pursuit. Local nature centers, community centers and continuing education programs in your area may be looking for someone just like you to volunteer their time. You can become a mentor or a tutor. There are many ways to impart your knowledge on to others.
Consume and Invest Wisely
Living more with less is something that we can all try to do. When you do need something new, you as a consumer have a tremendous amount of power and choice. That power can serve to help a small business owner or tell a larger retailer what matters to you. If you can, try to make purchases of items that are built well so that don’t demand replacement. Look for items that promote less or even zero waste opportunities.
Many organizations and universities are taking part in what is known as the divestment movement. This means that they are no longer allow fossil fuel companies to be included in investment portfolios or pension funds. If you have or make investments for yourself, look carefully at what companies do and say about being socially responsible. This can also be said for brands that you buy products from.
D.I.Y. / Do It Yourself
Having some basic fix-it and maker skills can come in handy. Even if you aren’t the most mechanically inclined person, it doesn’t hurt to know the difference between a hammer and a screwdriver. The more that you can do successfully, the more money you can save and the more that you can help the environment.
How so? Glad that you asked. If you can fix a leaking faucet, you can save thousands of gallons of water and save money. If you can paint an old chest of drawers and replace some handles, you keep something out of a landfill. If you can knit, you can make gifts for friends and family members that have more potential meaning than an item that was mass-produced. The better that you get at fixing items and making things, the more self-reliant that you can be. A D.I.Y. mentality can also help if you want to plant a garden, make your own bread or can some preserves. These hands on skills can take you far and there is a satisfaction you can gain when you do something yourself.