How to Stay Grounded in the Storm of 47
I'm an artist and advocate. Here's how I plan to focus on meaningful action, self-care, and MY OWN ADMINISTRATION while resisting Trump's chaos, narcissism, and divisiveness.
Based on Donald Trump’s past policies, rhetoric, and leadership style, the next four years under another Trump administration will likely bring significant challenges in various areas.
While I’m committed to staying focused on what matters through advocacy, self-care, and creative endeavors, I believe it’s essential that we openly acknowledge what we’re in for.
I’ve used AI to help summarize the highly probable challenges ahead, including:
Political Polarization and Division
Continued deepening of political divides, making it harder to find common ground.
Increased social tensions fueled by rhetoric targeting specific groups and ideologies.
Threats to Democratic Norms and Institutions
Potential erosion of democratic principles like press freedom, judicial independence, and electoral integrity.
Efforts to consolidate power or undermine checks and balances.
Declining Civility and Ethical Leadership
Continued normalization of divisive, inflammatory, and often false rhetoric.
Challenges to maintaining a respectful and inclusive civic discourse.
Policy Reversals
Rollbacks of progressive policies on climate change, healthcare, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Changes to immigration policies, possibly leading to heightened fears and insecurity for immigrant communities.
Climate and Environmental Concerns
Repealing or weakening climate policies, including international agreements and regulations on emissions.
Increased environmental degradation due to prioritization of industry over conservation.
Economic Uncertainty
Tax and trade policies that disproportionately benefit the wealthy or destabilize certain sectors.
Economic disparities widening due to reduced safety nets for marginalized groups.
Global Relationships and Security
Strained alliances with traditional partners (e.g., NATO).
A transactional approach to diplomacy that could increase global instability.
Public Health and Science
Possible disregard for scientific consensus, particularly around public health crises or vaccines.
Reduced funding for health programs, research, or organizations like the CDC and WHO.
Education and Information
Attempts to limit curriculum content on history, diversity, and critical thinking skills.
Greater influence of disinformation and misinformation campaigns.
Judicial and Legislative Impacts
Long-term consequences of judicial appointments that could shift rulings on reproductive rights, voting rights, and civil liberties.
Gridlock in Congress if polarization persists, stalling progress on major issues.
These challenges highlight the critical importance of staying informed, engaged, and proactive to resist becoming overwhelmed by fear or hopelessness. And, though it’s essential to stay informed without getting overwhelmed, the key to survival, in my opinion, is staying mentally healthy and grounded in REALITY.
Why Grounding Matters
Before exploring the importance of and examples of emotional health and well-being, let’s highlight the risks of getting caught in Trump’s chaos:
Personal Risks
Mental Health Strain
Constant exposure to negativity and divisive rhetoric can increase anxiety, depression, and feelings of helplessness.
Doomscrolling and hyper-engagement with chaotic news cycles can lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout.
Loss of Focus and Productivity
Being consumed by daily political drama can pull attention away from personal goals, relationships, and work.
It’s easy to feel paralyzed or overwhelmed by the scale of issues, leading to inaction or decreased motivation.
Erosion of Boundaries
Letting the chaos invade all aspects of life can make it harder to maintain work-life balance and personal peace.
Arguments with loved ones over politics may strain or even sever important relationships.
Social Risks
Fractured Relationships
Political differences can escalate into irreparable conflicts with family, friends, or colleagues.
Engaging in reactionary or heated debates often fuels division rather than fostering understanding.
Amplification of Misinformation
Reacting emotionally to the chaos can lead to sharing unverified information, inadvertently spreading misinformation.
Engaging with divisive content can amplify harmful narratives and deepen polarization.
Societal Risks
Distraction from Effective Action
Focusing on every inflammatory statement or event can dilute energy needed for meaningful advocacy or change.
People may become distracted by theatrics, leaving systemic issues unaddressed.
Normalization of Harmful Behaviors
Constant engagement with chaos can desensitize people to harmful rhetoric, unethical actions, or violations of democratic norms.
Over time, this can lower societal standards of accountability and decency.
Collective Fatigue and Apathy
An overwhelmed public may disengage entirely, leading to decreased civic participation and voter turnout.
This creates opportunities for unchecked abuses of power.
What I’m Doing to Stay Focused and Grounded
My survival plan for the next four years?
Focus on what MATTERS.
This includes a commitment to find and promote POSITIVE things about our country and our political system. For example, the 119th Congress has the most racial and ethnic diversity in history:
And, while I won’t give any positive energy to Trump, I also won’t allow myself to get swept up in the negative energy and discourse about him either. This is because the more I focus on Trump and his antics (crazy and inhumane as they are), the less I focus on my own healthy skills, accomplishments, and connections.
Narcissists are DRIVEN to create chaos and disillusionment, distracting and pulling others off their own paths to success — all the better to ensure their glorified position at “the top” of the “heap”. They believe, at their core, that labeling and bullying and breaking others down is “good for them” — and that the world is better for it.
When you realize that a narcissist feels compelled to stay “top of mind” and “relevant”, they’ll do whatever it takes to suck attention, emotional fuel, and money from willing parties. In Trump’s manic and desperate attempts to stay in the spotlight, he’s sold or promoted everything from crypto, bibles, watches, cologne, perfume, real estate, trading cards, universities, steaks, vodka, ice, wine, chocolates, books, menswear, eyewear, furniture and home accessories, credit cards, board games, mattresses, coins, and NFTs. What a role model for integrity.
And so, for the next four years, I plan to fill my corner of the world NOT with commentary and judgement and critique against Trump, but with my own positive messages and offerings.
During the next four years, I plan to limit my consumption of media (particularly that which benefits by promoting his inevitable chaos) and focus not on Trump but on
My own administration
My own policies
My own initiatives
My own agenda items
My Administration’s Policies
For the next four years, I plan to…
…continue building a community of fearless writers and authors-in-training whose words will resonate long beyond the Trump Administration.
…dial in to the love I have for my kids, partner, friends, and neigbhors.
…pay attention to my own body and how it feels when I treat it well.
…spend my energy acknowledging and adapting to the ever-changing needs of our society.
…read and share stories of people who cultivate and harness the powers of resilience and courage and survival.
…spend time with and support individuals who share my dedication to equality, inclusion, open-mindedness, and acceptance.
My Administration’s Initiatives
Personal: Preserve my mental health during the Trump years
Professional: In addition to running my coworking space for writers and offering write-ins and workshops and memoir coaching, work on reaching more writers and readers by expanding and scaling Writers’ Haven LLC
My Administration’s Agenda Items
Finish my memoir (and share excerpts and sneak peeks with paid subscribers of this newsletter)
Continue building a trustworthy team of assistant editors, designers, and strategists at Writers’ Haven LLC
Publish my self-guided workbook for memoir writers
Get published in The New York Times
Help 5 clients land book deals and/or cross the publishing finish line
Reach 3,000 subscribers on Substack
Get married
Take a much needed rest
10 More Ways To Stay Focused and Grounded
This is when I LOVE turning to AI for a list of ideas, like:
Practice Daily Self-Care: Meditation, exercise, and rest to maintain mental clarity.
Stay Informed but Limit Media Consumption: Balance staying updated with avoiding overload.
Strengthen Personal Relationships: Nurture connections that uplift and energize.
Engage in Meaningful Advocacy: Choose focused efforts that align with your values.
Support Marginalized Communities: Volunteer, donate, and amplify underrepresented voices.
Create Art That Inspires Change: Use your creativity to challenge injustice and foster hope.
Seek Joy in Small Moments: Prioritize activities that bring happiness and peace.
Educate Yourself Continuously: Read and learn about systemic issues and solutions.
Disconnect to Reconnect: Take regular breaks from technology to recharge.
Embrace a Bigger Perspective: Remember that progress is a long game, and hope is essential.
Resist the Noise
There’s never been a bigger need to reaffirm our commitment to thriving with purpose and intention.
If you agree with my call for unity and action — grounded in love and determination — then please share what you and YOUR ADMINISTRATION plan to accomplish these next four years.
Please share your own grounding practices…and how you plan to stay centered and steady in the coming days. This is a space for collective wisdom and solidarity.
Christine Wolf is the co-author of Politics, Partnerships, & Power: The Lives of Ralph E. and Marguerite Stitt Church (Master Wings Publishing, 2023). She’s a memoir coach, developmental editor, and founder of Writers’ Haven Evanston, a coworking space in Evanston, Illinois, designed specifically for writers. She teaches writing workshops online and at Northwestern University. Get in touch!
Resources and Further Reading
1. Mental Health Strain
Social Media Use Increases Depression and Loneliness
Source: University of Pennsylvania
Summary: This study demonstrates a causal link between time spent on social media platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram, and decreased well-being, including higher levels of depression and loneliness.
Link: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/social-media-use-increases-depression-and-loneliness
American Psychological Association (APA):
Stress in America 2024: A Nation in Political TurmoilSummary: Studies highlighting how political tensions cause stress for a majority of Americans.
Links:
Pew Research Center:
Partisan Antipathy: More Intense, More Personal (2019)Summary: This report documented how partisanship and political hostility contributed to emotional distress and social tension.
2. Erosion of Boundaries
"Political Difference and Polarization in the Family"
Summary: This study examines how political disagreements contribute to familial polarization and estrangement.
"Family Conflict over Political Issues in Hong Kong and its Psychological Impacts"
Summary: This research delves into how political disagreements can lead to family conflicts and affect mental health.
Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/21582440241282070
Mental Health Foundation:
Relationships in the 21st Century: The Forgotten Foundation of Mental Health and Well-being
3. General Psychological Impacts of Political Chaos
"Political Polarization Poses Health Risks, New Analysis Concludes"
Summary: This analysis discusses how increasing political polarization in the U.S. can obstruct health policies, discourage individual health actions, and spread misinformation, thereby posing significant health risks.
"Why Depression Rates Are Higher Among Liberals"
This article examines research indicating that American adults identifying as politically liberal report lower levels of happiness and psychological well-being compared to conservatives, potentially due to concerns about societal issues.Link: Columbia Magazine
Mapping How People Get Their (Political) News
Source: Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania
Summary: This research analyzes Americans' media consumption habits, highlighting the extent of political "echo chambers" and the influence of partisan news diets on public opinion.
Link: https://www.asc.upenn.edu/news-events/news/mapping-how-people-get-their-political-news
The Impact of Election Stress: Is Political Anxiety Harming Your Health?
Source: American Psychological Association (APA)
Summary: This article discusses how political events can serve as chronic stressors, negatively affecting psychological and physical well-being, and offers strategies for managing political stress.
Link: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/10/managing-political-stress
Christine Wolf is the co-author of Politics, Partnerships, & Power: The Lives of Ralph E. and Marguerite Stitt Church (Master Wings Publishing, 2023). She’s a memoir coach, developmental editor, and founder of Writers’ Haven Evanston, a coworking space in Evanston, Illinois, designed specifically for writers. She teaches writing workshops online and at Northwestern University. Get in touch!
