A Practice of Hope

How I’m navigating overwhelm, staying informed, and returning to what steadies me.

I’m sitting with a lot of feelings right now — sadness, disbelief, anger. It feels overwhelming to take in all that is unfolding in our world.

I notice how quickly my nervous system responds. The urge to scroll. The heaviness in my chest. The tension in my shoulders.

So I am leaning — intentionally — on the tools that help me regulate. Limiting time online. Taking long walks. Connecting with friends and family. Looking for the quiet good that is still happening every day. Breathing deeply. Moving my body. Coming back to what is steady.

At the same time, I feel deep pride and love for those who are standing up for what they believe in under intense conditions. The images of people braving the elements, showing up for one another, standing united — they move me to tears. There is courage there. There is humanity there.

We are living in an unsettling climate. Finding the balance between staying informed and caring for our own well-being feels essential. Not as avoidance — but as sustainability.

I recently revisited Emily Dickinson’s “Hope is the Thing with Feathers.” She writes of hope as something internal and enduring — a quiet companion that offers warmth and strength without ever asking anything in return. I keep coming back to that image.

So I hold onto hope.
I practice yoga and meditation.
I support the causes that feel aligned.
I share my feelings.
I listen deeply to others.

This is how I choose to move through uncertain times.

Please take care of yourselves

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