what can i do?

Hi friend,

I’m back in your inbox after a little (3 month) hiatus. 

I’ll be honest…I needed some time to process.

Since I last wrote, I spent the holidays back in Illinois, moved across town here in California, and I’ve been putting all my energy towards two things:

1. staying sane and strong

2. so I can show up for those who need it most right now.

The question I keep asking is What can I do?

Here are the things I’ve done and plan to do:

I deleted Goodreads and moved to Fable and Storygraph.

I signed up for Indivisible. And 5calls.org.

I signed up to phone bank for Mahmoud Khalil.
I signed the petition too.

I plan to protest on April 5th with Hands Off!
You can find an event in your area.
Here’s the one in Sebastopol.
(Don’t see one for your town? Create one with this form.)

I stopped going to news sources that only want my clicks for dollars.
The ones who are profiting off the shock and awe and have been for the past 9 years.
I go to AP News and NPR and anything international (for an outside perspective).
I only check the news for a few minutes each day.

I give my clicks to Vivian Jenna Wilson instead.

I signed up for A4TE - Advocates for Trans Equality.

I’m trying not to give billionaires more of my time, money, or attention.
This means changing my shopping habits and using my dollar and attention to vote.

When word spread that ICE might be coming to town, I got in my car and went to places and let them know. I texted everyone I could.

I support the Border Servant Corps.

I go to my local library for books.
(Slowing working on my book hoarding tendencies).

I also go to events at my local library and read local authors.

I call and email my members of Congress for the Department of Education.
(These links lead to a script and form you can complete).

I help serve a community meal one Saturday every month.

I made a meal for a couple who recently had a baby.

I made banana nut muffins and shared them with my neighbors.

I picked calendula and harvested the buds to dry.

I went to an 8 year old’s birthday party.

I set up my garden beds and organized my seeds.

I always have a good book going.
Recent favorites:
Isola by Allegra Goodman
Good Girl by Aria Aber
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

I remind myself every day:
“He has no power over me.”
(Whomever that “he” may be for the day).

I’m writing my third book, a historical fiction novel.

I’m helping my wonderful clients with their books and writing projects.
Good people doing good things in the world.

I read about artists who made art to protest.
Like Sister Corita Kent.

I watch good (and stupid) shows.
White Lotus is my lifeline right now.

I make sure I’m eating and sleeping well.
I bought 3 pints of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to support their advocacy.
(And now I’ll just have to eat them).

I walk. A lot.
(My step count is through the roof this year).

I listen to the people around me.
How scared they are, how much fear we all feel.
The good things they’re doing, the art they’re creating.

I play with the kids in my life and my dog—and remember the innocent, sweet side of life.

Mostly, I refuse to let two greedy men and a broken system steal my joy.
I grab onto it and hang on for dear life, wherever and whenever I can.

We all know this is a hot mess—AND I also see evidence every day of the good in people—all the people stepping up to say: NO MORE OF THIS.
All the people creating art and growing food.
All the people showing up to advocate for each other.
All the people protesting and standing up for what’s right.

It’s so easy to feel powerless in the face of such hate, violence, and greed.
But we don’t have to let the bad guys win.
Love, inclusivity, and equality will always triumph over hate, white supremacy, and greed.
Even when things look dark—that’s when we need each other the most.

We have power.
And the tiny choices we make every day, make a difference.

xx Caitlin

P.S. What’s on your list?
What are you doing?
How are you taking care of yourself?

Here are a few things to make you think and smile 🙂