Here’s an honest confession: I’m already sick of this shit. I’m already sick of opening my phone every day to a fresh “Breaking News” headline that details which foundational aspect of democracy our toddler of a president broke today, and I’m already sick of writing angrily about it. It makes me want to pack my bags and move fucking Iceland or something. But I’m only seventeen, so not only am I too poor to do so, but I’m also still discovering my influence, however small it may be. I’m not willing to give up this fight, or any fight I still care about. So what can we do? 

It’s so easy after being fired up about making a difference to adopt this idea that whatever you do, it will never be enough. What I’d like to do is provide a little comfort and insight into how you can still make a difference and be a good advocate without having to become the next president, or feeling like this after you read the news every morning:

Alright, here’s your moment of comfort: you don’t matter. You’re insignificant. You alone don’t have the power to change every circumstance and policy you’d like to change; no single person does, even the president– and thank God for that. Right now, you have influence where you are. Luckily there’s power in that, there’s power in everyone, we’ve all just gotta start realizing it. 

Politics have always been engineered to get people outraged enough to donate money, time, and attention to whichever grand, untouchable character has the loudest voice and the most prominent dream. Everyone can list executive orders or current events in our country or across seas that we’d like to impact, but what if we focused on issues our local community is facing? Like state or local elections. So many amazing organizations in central Wisconsin are working to better our community. There’s Wausau’s Rotary Club, a Community Foundation, foundations that fund school and nonprofit projects, the Women’s Community, a Boys and Girls Club…

I could go on and on, but what I’m trying to convey is that it’s so incredibly easy to believe the lie that, in the grand tapestry that is America’s political and social landscape, you have nothing to offer. We’re given this constant narrative of what egotistical, idiotic, and oppressive policymakers are fucking up, and then a “Subscribe” or “Donate” button to help the cause. 

The good thing is, there are so many strong and determined advocates under your nose working so incredibly hard to make our community more unified, equitable, and safe. All you need to do is find your people, and give what you’re willing to give, whether that’s money, conversation, or volunteer hours. Despite what news sources tell you, just know, that’s enough. 

Me, for instance. I had this dream of changing the sexual education curriculum of the state of Wisconsin… Turns out that’s pretty hard.

So, after many ignored emails and pleas to Congresspeople for an audience, I decided to turn inward and refocus on the people and causes around me. For me, that meant the Women’s Community. 

It’s not like I started by hosting support groups; there were more qualified people to do all that. But me? I started by stumbling through empty isles with so many cans of fucking donated spaghettios and beans that I had to lean back to stock this pantry for women and families who just need a safe place to shop. That’s what I did. 

And you know what? After a shitty day of getting myself out of bed, making myself breakfast, driving myself to school and getting knowledge shoved down my throat until my conscious mind is soupier than those spaghettios– that’s enough. That’s enough! And I’m not here to spell out how to be a good advocate- ha, spell, get it?- but I’ll tell you this. You don’t have to always give 100% of your time, attention, and energy to a cause to be an active, important part of it. 

If you try to constantly march and yell and blaze your way through your journey as someone who speaks up for what you believe in, you’ll start running on fumes faster than you think. That doesn’t help anyone. You don’t need to expand your voice or following or anything that would make you more publicly significant to make a difference. All you need to do is start local. Start a conversation, start volunteering, and start understanding how to help. If you’re unsure where or how to do that, that’s what this whole blog is for. I plan to start providing information on local occurrences and organizations that you could find practically anywhere and give information on how we can contribute to their causes, so feel free to let me know specific causes you want to hear about. You can find people around you who care about the policies and people you do. Just look. 

So, yes, it’s good to shake your fist at the TV, scream, march, and lobby. It’s good to stay informed and to care about the political climate of the world. But know that you’re allowed to take a break. You can put the world down for a day or two and focus on staying sane. You’re not evil for needing a break, and you don’t have to be constantly angry to stay informed and helpful. What you have to offer is enough, and together, we’ll find our way through whatever it is we’re in for.