If January felt like it lasted ten years, you're not alone. 2025 is shaping up to be a marathon, not a sprint—which means staying engaged without burning out is critical. The world is asking a lot of us, and while tuning out completely might feel tempting, we know that disengagement isn’t the answer either. The real challenge is learning how to stay informed and involved without losing yourself in the process.
Alright friends, here are tested-tried-and-vetted 5 actionable ways to maintain your sanity while staying present in the world’s unfolding chaos.
1. Protect Your Mornings
If you leave your mornings up to chance, you leave your nervous system up to chance. (read that again) I’ve learned this the hard way. Too many mornings have started with a reflexive grab for my phone, only to find myself spiraling through social media’s abyss, sinking into the latest wave of devastating headlines, or already answering ever “pressing” Slack messages.
I used to think I was just “staying informed,” but in reality, I was starting my day in a state of stress and reactivity. I don’t let myself do that anymore.
Here’s my personal way of protecting my mornings and of course, I encourage you to take what inspires you, leave the rest. When my alarm goes off, I get up immediately and drink a big-ass glass of water. After I brush my teeth and long before coffee, I move my body—whether it’s a structured workout or simply walking my dog for 10 to 30 minutes. Only then do I make my coffee. Only then do I touch technology.
The key here is simple: when you finally open a screen, you want to be grounded enough to handle whatever it throws at you. Start your day on your own terms before the world tries to hijack it.
2. Find a Purpose-Driven Community
What does that even mean? It means that if you need to be with people who share your values, seek that out. If you need people who share your interests, find them. The point is: when the world feels overwhelming, being part of a community with real intention can provide much-needed stability.
Find a space that connects you—to your interests, your neighborhood, or your deeper sense of meaning. It could be about activism, spirituality, or creative expression, or it could be something as simple as a cooking club, a hiking group, or a weekly gathering with friends. What matters is that it grounds you and reminds you that you’re not navigating everything alone.
For those following my journey, you know I’m currently in interfaith seminary training. As part of my studies, I joined a group focused on the interfaith approach to politics, giving me a weekly space to process my questions, curiosities, and concerns—knowing I’m surrounded by people who value open-hearted dialogue and working toward understanding.
You don’t have to carry the weight of the world alone. Community, in whatever form you need it, is there to hold you.
3. Disrupt Your Echo Chamber
Between curated social media feeds and news sources that reinforce what we already believe, it’s easy to exist in a constant loop of affirmation.
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