Focus is the substance of opposition
Ezra Klein helped me come up with a plan for civic engagement and mental peace
I’ve been struggling with deer-in-the-headlights syndrome since the inauguration. The brain-scrambling chaos of recent weeks has been, well, you know. 😵💫
But Ezra Klein said something on his podcast that snapped me back to my senses:
Focus is the substance of opposition.
This simple statement made me realize that safeguarding my mental peace in the coming months will take more than just limiting my exposure to news and social media. I also need to focus my response.
In other words, I need to make intentional choices about how my civic engagement will look in the days ahead.
Lower the volume on political chaos
At this point, most of us understand that the carnival of chaos is intended to silence opposition. When hit with crisis after crisis, we rush around in a blind panic unable to properly respond.
Focus is the substance of opposition. I need to shut down the apps and let the noise will die down so I can hear my own voice.
Look inside to decide where to focus.
Next steps get clearer when I can answer these questions:
Who’s in my sphere of influence?
What issues come with a personal connection and a story I can tell? I’m a nature lover, I have a queer relative, I care about women’s health…
What resources do I have? Time, money, skills, contacts…
How much time can I devote to civic engagement while living a full life? (Work, family, exercise, sleep…) 10 minutes per day? 2 hours per week? 1 Saturday per month?
What’s doable, sustainable, repeatable?
Who might like to join me?
How will I unplug from the news narrative every day? How will I replenish my energy and joy?
Some of us will need every drop of energy for our survival, and some of us can push ourselves a little. No guilt, no judgement! Small actions count.
Start today.
Pick one thing and do it today! It doesn’t have to be perfect. This
post is a great place to start.
I don’t mean to downplay the danger or imply that the political chaos is all a show. Real damage has been done which is why our focused, persistent response is urgently necessary.
Those in power are trying to make their agenda seem unstoppable. They’re trying to make despair seem like the only option. That’s the show.
Despair is not the only option and nothing’s inevitable.
I may not control Elon Musk or Congress or Fox News or the Facebook algorithm, but I do control how I respond to all this. As much as I can, for as long as I can, I’m opting out of the carnival of chaos and focusing on joy, engagement, and fighting for the future I want for our kids.
PS. Your elected representatives are in your sphere of influence even if you think they’re not listening. 5calls.org makes it easy to call.
How are you responding to the political chaos? How does “focus is the substance of opposition” land with you?
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Thanks for reading Parent of Adults. I’m Asha Dornfest, a Portland, Oregon-based author & parent of two young adults, and this newsletter is my invitation to compare notes on life beyond the empty nest.
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I am slowly unfollowing a lot of rage-baiters who I suppose keep me informed, but who fill my feeds with horrible things… and no solutions. I want my attention to go where I can be useful. Like with you!
Asha right on with keeping focus and it’s not easy. Had heard the podcast previously but the video reaffirmed my resolve.