Here we go (Again)

Well...

F*ck. Here we go again.

Today, January 20, 2025, is Inauguration Day, where we say “don’t let the door hit you on the way out” to President Biden and scream expletives at our new President (I won’t even type out his name). 

There’s a lot of fear, concern, anger, sadness, and more with this leadership change. Especially in places like Ohio, we’ve already seen the effects of the transphobic rhetoric that this government has encouraged in our newly signed laws (HB 68, HB 8, and HB 245 in committee, just to name a few). 

What do we do when the fear is so strong, it threatens to consume us? What do we do when it often feels easier to just hide under the covers and pretend it doesn’t exist? 

First, we breathe. We drink water. We eat something, anything. We try to sleep. 

Our (anyone in a marginalized/oppressed identity) mere existence is resistance. 

They (those in power/privilege) want us to feel alone, to feel isolated. When we are isolated, we lose hope. When we are isolated, we give in. When we are isolated, fear takes over. 

In order to fight back, we have to first stay alive. 

(If this is difficult for you, here is my favorite resource for hotlines that do not call the police). 

Next, we feel our feelings. It’s scary and it’s okay to feel scared. It’s okay to cry, to scream, to momentarily dissociate, to stim- whatever you need to let yourself process what’s happening. Some of my recommendations for this are:

-Finding a creative outlet (journaling, writing, coloring, drawing, singing, dancing, etc.)

-Moving your body (walking, hiking, yoga, dancing, etc.)

-Talk through what you’re feeling (with a therapist, a friend, in a support group, online, etc.)

Next, we find community. Community and collective care are key when those in power want to tear us apart. If it’s your practice, find a way to get involved in a local organization/cause/mutual aid that’s already doing great and hard work (one of my personal favorites is the Democratic Socialists of America-especially if you need more information on unionizing). In times of difficulty, there is often pressure to start a new initiative or a new organization. Instead, get involved with something already established because there’s great power in numbers. Whether in-person or online, finding community spaces is so important.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the recent news that Meta is encouraging and engaging in anti-LGBTQ hate speech. If you can, find ways to connect with online communities on other platforms (I’ve seen Signal or Bluesky often recommended). I also recognize that this isn’t feasible for many. 

Another way to find community is to invest in your community. For me, one of my 2025 goals is to shop more locally. I’ve canceled my Amazon subscription and when possible, I’m searching for locally-owned (and especially women-, BIPOC- & LGBTQ-owned) businesses to support.*
*I recognize there is great privilege in being able to do this & do not want to cast shame on people who don’t/can’t have this option. 

Lastly, we stay prepared. While we don’t fully know what’s to come, we can make educated guesses based on what’s already happening. One way to stay prepared is to know your rights. The ACLU has fantastic resources on your rights. I recommend bookmarking this on your phone (especially the Stopped By Police section) so you are always prepared. Share this resource with everyone you know, especially BIPOC and trans folks as unfortunately, they will experience higher levels of police brutality. 

By no means is this an exhaustive list of what we can do in this new administration. My hope is that this is a starting point as you develop a game plan for how to take care of yourself and your community.

I also want to add that YOU are the only one who can decide what level of advocacy or resistance is best for you. A lot of folks make sweeping statements declaring that everyone should be on the front lines of protest. You are the expert of your own life.

I also recognize that I, Jenny, hold a mix of privileged and marginalized identities. As a result, this may influence what I recommend or opinions I hold. Just like you, I’m constantly trying to educate myself, unlearn a lot of what I was taught in therapist grad school, and decolonize my work. I invite feedback on what I’ve shared. 

You are not alone. 

This blog was influenced by so many phenomenal resources.

Those are, but not limited to:

-ACLU

-TransOhio

-Inclusive Therapists

-Democratic Socialists of America

-GLAAD

-@pat.radical.therapist on Instagram

-@Intersectionall_ on Instagram/ Here We Go Again webinar

-Decolonizing Therapy by Jennifer Mullan, Psy.D