Surviving The Next 4 Years
Navigating the next four years under a Trump presidency, for many, feels like braving a never-ending hurricane of tweets, questionable hairdos, and political whiplash. But hey, you’ve made it this far, so clearly, you’ve got some resilience in you. Let’s talk about how to keep your sanity intact and your spirit of resistance alive, with a side of humor to keep you laughing through the chaos. Because let’s face it, if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry, and nobody wants to ruin their keyboard with tears.
The first step to surviving any storm is acknowledgment. This isn’t normal. That’s fine. Stop expecting it to be. Politics under Trump can feel like living in a reality show where the stakes are absurdly high, and the plotlines make no sense. Why is this subplot about bleach injections back? Who let this through editing? But here’s the thing: when you stop expecting logical seasons of The West Wing and instead embrace that this is Veep on steroids, you can save yourself a lot of emotional energy.
Acceptance doesn’t mean apathy, though. Oh no. It means being the audience who’s in on the joke while still taking notes to demand better programming.
In the age of doom-scrolling, memes are armor. Stockpile them like canned beans for the soul. Memes can turn the most frustrating news into a cathartic laugh. Imagine a picture of Trump doing… well, anything, paired with “This is fine.” Instant emotional release. It’s not just about laughing; it’s about connecting with others in a shared What the heck is happening? moment. That sense of community is a powerful tool in staying sane and motivated.
Bonus: If you’re feeling creative, make your own memes. You can call it “political commentary,” and suddenly you’re an activist-slash-artist. Look at you, multitasking!
Resistance isn’t a solo sport, it’s a team effort. Find your people. This could be in real-life activism groups, online communities, or that one friend who also yells “What fresh hell is this?!” every time they check the news. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people is crucial for emotional survival. It reminds you that you’re not alone in your frustrations and efforts. Plus, planning protests and writing petitions is more fun when snacks and snark are involved.
And speaking of resistance, join efforts that align with your skills. Not everyone is cut out for organizing rallies or calling senators (though if you are, hats off to you). Maybe you’re better at writing, creating art, or cooking for tired activists. There’s a role for everyone, and finding yours keeps you motivated and part of the solution.
You can’t fight the good fight if you’re running on empty. Think of self-care as the emotional equivalent of putting on your oxygen mask first. Take breaks when the news feels like it’s grinding you down. That might mean stepping away from social media, diving into a comforting hobby, or binge-watching something where the biggest stakes are whether a quirky chef wins the big baking contest.
And let’s talk therapy. Normalize it. If Trump can normalize eating fast food in the White House, you can normalize talking to a therapist.
Humor is resistance. Laughter is rebellion. When you see something utterly ridiculous, find the joke. Trump holding a press conference at the Four Seasons… Landscaping? That’s comedic gold handed to you on a platter. The key is to let humor lighten the load rather than distract from the issues. You can both laugh and work toward change. In fact, the laughter might be what keeps you working.
It’s easy to feel like nothing good happens, but that’s not true. There are small victories every day: a judge blocking an unconstitutional policy, a grassroots movement gaining traction, a well-timed clapback from AOC. Celebrate these moments. They’re proof that resistance works and that progress, while slow, is happening.
Also, remember this: Trump is a symptom, not the disease. The work being done now isn’t just to resist one man, it’s to create a better system that doesn’t allow this kind of chaos to thrive. Every step forward, no matter how small, is part of a much larger fight.
When things feel dark, imagining a better future can be motivating. Picture yourself in 2028 (because surely by then this will be over, right?) sipping a victory latte, reminiscing about the time you made it through four years of madness.
Picture the headlines: “New President Ends Twitter; Nation Breathes Sigh of Relief.” Imagine telling future generations about how you stood up for what’s right. Sure, they might say, “Why didn’t you just move to Mars?” but you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you stayed and fought.
It’s tempting to spiral about the big, scary, systemic stuff, but you can’t solve all of it. What you can do is vote. Volunteer. Donate. Educate. Call your representatives. If the system feels rigged, look for local change, school boards, city councils, state laws. The ripple effects matter.
Plus, nothing frustrates a chaos agent more than calm, focused resistance.
You’re about to spend four years in the emotional equivalent of a rollercoaster built by a man who thinks Diet Coke counts as hydration. But you’ve got this. Surround yourself with community, wield humor like a lightsaber, and keep your eyes on the bigger picture. And hey, when all else fails, there’s always wine. Or ice cream. Or knitting. Whatever keeps you sane.
Remember: this, too, shall pass. And when it does, you’ll be standing, maybe a little frazzled, but ready for whatever’s next.
