The Shit has Hit The Fan. Now what?

How do we stay sane over the next four years?

Right.

I think we can all agree that the proverbial shit has hit the fan in a big way in the United States today, and the splatter will most certainly not be contained in the country that will now soon again be run by someone who is increasingly orange, senile, unhinged and surrounded by a few exceptionally dodgy characters.

Now, for me personally, when the faeces has exploded, the first thing I do is put on my strategist’s* hat (it’s really nice, it has sequins, but still looks serious).

So, with that in mind, let’s all put a plan together. Let’s identify the risks we’re facing now, the actions we can take, and how it may just help our communities not just cope but build resilience over the next four years.

1. Keep Your Sanity by Choosing the Right News 🗞️

Risk: Misinformation and endless chaos can have you second-guessing your morning coffee.

Plan of Action: Stick to high-factuality sources and take headlines with a pinch of salt (or a whole bag, really). Think Byline Times, Full Fact and other trusted news sources.

Why It Helps: You stay informed without feeling like you’re living in an alternative reality. Plus, you’ll have the facts handy when Aunt Margery shares “news” that reads like it was ghostwritten by a feverish badger.

2. Become an Ally (Without the Halo) 👥

Risk: Trumpian rhetoric has a habit of spilling across borders, emboldening certain groups here to act like empathy is some kind of personal failing.

Plan of Action: Show up for vulnerable communities and support the groups on the front lines. Whether it’s Liberty, Stonewall, or Women’s Aid, these groups need our help - and a lot less of our “thoughts and prayers.”

Why It Helps: Empathy builds resilience. Just make sure to avoid the self-congratulatory halo - always remember that protest is about support, not photo-ops.

3. Put Your Keyboard to Good Use 🔍

Risk: Trumpian spin can travel faster than a dodgy headline on Facebook.

Plan of Action: If you see something that stinks of exaggeration, have a polite, fact-based word. Share reputable fact-checks or stats. (And no, “my cousin’s friend” is not a valid source).

Why It Helps: Stopping misinformation in its tracks is like whacking a mole with a hefty fact-check hammer. It doesn’t solve everything, but it stops the spread of some of the worst nonsense, even if it sometimes feels like farting against thunder.

4. Engage in Real Conversation – Yes, Really 🤝

Risk: Trumpian chaos thrives on everyone shouting over each other.

Plan of Action: Whether it’s on Twitter or at the dinner table, try an approach that’s equal parts empathy and questioning. And if you can’t talk, just listen (and pour yourself a very big glass of something very strong while trying to not fall out of your chair from rolling your eyes so hard).

Why It Helps: Constructive discussion can feel rare, but it’s one of the few things that unpicks divisive rhetoric. Plus, fewer people will think you’re just an “anti-Trumper” with an agenda if you show a real interest in their views.

5. Support Local Activism (Even if You Hate Crowds) 📝

Risk: The Trumpian era doesn’t just export policies, it normalises an “every man for himself” approach.

Plan of Action: Support or join local groups that reflect your values. Even if it’s just a few pounds a month to a good cause, your support counts. If crowds aren’t your thing, fundraisers and online petitions work wonders too.

Why It Helps: The fight for decency often happens on a hyper-local level. It’s less about grand gestures, more about consistency.

6. Take “Me Time” Seriously (No Really, Don’t Skimp) 🌱

Risk: Trumpian chaos and 24/7 crisis news can make you feel like you’re living in a warped season of Black Mirror.

Plan of Action: Schedule breaks, mute your doom-scrolling apps now and then, and spend time with your loved ones (including your plants).

Why It Helps: Self-care isn’t self-indulgence; it’s survival. A calm mind is a resilient mind, and nobody fights the good fight well when they’re on their 8th espresso (unless you've reached the point where your body is 40% caffeine).

7. Find Laughter Where You Can (Even if it Feels a Bit Grim) 😜

Risk: The next four years could make the “dark humour” section of your mind overbooked.

Plan of Action: Find moments of humour, however small. Memes, an incisive Twitter comeback, a GIF that nails it - whatever brings a smile and keeps you sane.

Why It Helps: The situation is serious, but our collective sanity doesn’t need to crumble. Humour is like a salve for tough times. Please, let's remember to have a laugh, even though it might not feel like it's appropriate today.

What we need to acknowledge as a community is that the coming years are set to be exceptionally turbulent, and Trumpian politics loves nothing more than a good chaos-fest.

But there's something we have to keep in mind (and I am very much speaking to myself here):

No, we don’t need to absorb every blow or react to every headline.

Instead, we can engage in thoughtful actions, support each other, and - let’s face it - build a little resistance muscle along the way.

We’ll face plenty of fire, but our task is to focus on the things that endure: community, compassion, and (of course) fact-checking like our lives depend on it (which, at times, it may).

Let’s make our way through the noise, support each other, and remember that even Trumpianism, for all its chaos, is a moment in time.

Decency and democracy, if we stay vigilant, are built to last.

*And yes, this was pre-written weeks ago, because I wouldn't be a good strategist if I didn't consider the worst case scenario, would I?

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