Four Ways to Get Involved When You Feel Like Hiding Under Your Bed

I used to be the girl who said the news didn't bother her. In fact, I loved the news, and I still do, but my relationship with it is different than it used to be. I live in a world where a lot of my friends and colleagues have always avoided news and media for the greener pastures of less upsetting ways to pass their time. I get it, I really do.

However, for me, my favorite time of day has always been Nightly News time, that sacred little half hour in the day where I could sort of nap and get caught up on the daily events. It was soothing for me - or at least it used to be. I can honestly say, at this point, I haven't watched the Nightly News for months. In an era where the news is dominated by a President I think is insane, that's not the good time it used to be.

Politics aside though, no matter which side of the fence you're on, the news these days can be hard to swallow. When attention drifts to current events that are terrifying for even those with the strongest stomach's among us, there is a cost for that. That energetic expenditure can leave you feeling depleted, completely wiped out, and wondering why

For a lot of us, the news last week was enough to make us feel like crawling under the bed forever. In all fairness, that seems to be a trend. However, hiding usually doesn't feel good for very long. But what's a girl to do if she's called her legislators until she's blue in the face or knows the protest scene doesn't personally feel like a safe space?

Remember: All politics is local.
When the world seems like a scary place, focus on your community, your neighborhood, or even your street. Get off the macro-view of a world gone mad and focus on the micro-view of the things you can actually do and the people you can help.

1. Invite your neighbors to dinner.

Yeah, I said it. Neighbors - you know, those people who live on your street, even the ones who annoy you.

Exchange contact information. These are the people you might really need of the world goes to hell in a handbasket. Not to mention, they're a good resource if you go on vacation and realize while on the airplane you may have left your curling iron plugged in.

Neighborhoods matter, now more than ever. We are in this together. So, share some food. Talk about things. Get to know each other.

If you're too lazy to host a dinner call it a potluck and make it happen.

2. Get rid of some of your shit and give it to people who need it.

We recently had a cold snap and a whole bunch of people in my community, (just like yours), were sleeping outside in the bitter cold. I, on the other hand, live in a house with three sources of heat. I'm pretty lucky that way.

I own two pairs of winter boots I keep around because they're cute, but I don't wear them because they give me blisters. I also have two drawers that are too full because they're stuffed with the kind of winter clothing that would make you think I ski.
I DO NOT SKI.

There is no excuse for me to have extreme weather gear I do not use when other people need it.

Getting rid of shit is cathartic. It's also good for other people. Someone needs that stuff you don't. For some people, your junk might be a lifesaver. Let that shit go.

3. Pick one thing, not twenty things, to focus on and donate some cash.

Yeah, money still matters. If you're like me, my focus tends to follow my money. So, in a world that is full of distractions, too many things to do anything about, you can do something about one thing. You will find it easier to focus on one thing if you're parting with some money for it.

Personally, I dig www.Kiva.org. I like the idea that a few of my dollars can make a big difference for a woman in a third world country who's building a business to support her family. That might not be your jam though. It might be the local pet shelter. It might be Green Peace. It could be a local candidate.

It doesn't matter really what it is. Giving feels good, and you don't have to get dressed up in your protest gear to write a check.

4. Notice what is working locally - and I can assure you lots of things are.

When you're focused on how bad things are it's really easy to miss the awesome right in front of you. There are people in your community that are trying very hard to cheer you up, and if you're locked in a doomsday bunker, you will not notice.

There are fairs, parades, and art shows. There are people doing excellent work, like running emergency shelters or feeding the homeless. Those things are worth noticing and supporting.

When the world and national scenes get dark, the local scene is usually a happening place. People want to be together. They tend to show up for relief. I can assure you that is happening in your community and if you participate, or even notice, you're contributing to the greater good.

Good feeling things gain momentum faster than any shitball rolling downhill. So, invest and ride that momentum.

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Lisa Hayes, The Love Whisperer, is an LOA Relationship Coach. She helps clients leverage Law of Attraction to get the relationships they dream about and build the lives they want. Lisa is the author of the newly released hit book, Score Your Soulmate and How to Escape from Relationship Hell and The Passion Plan.