You may have noticed that I haven’t been so prolific on this blog in recent weeks. The home projects continue, the cocktailing and cooking continues, and I’m still so inspired by many architectural and designer marvels. But the truth is, this year has gotten to me. It has been a rough year. Anyone else feel that way?

It’s been a rough year, so much so that I’m having trouble enjoying the things that really should feel joyful. The war on Ukraine, the anti-LGBTQ movement sweeping parts of the South, the banning of books, mass shooting after mass shooting (including another one just yesterday), loss of abortion rights, permission to carry guns publicly in every state, anything related to elections – it’s all wearing me down.

I’m trying to make our home and our lives beautiful but how important is that all really when it feels so dangerous to be alive?

I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge that I recognize there is a whole lot more out there that is significantly more important and crucial to our existence than me chipping away at my project list and I am grappling with these thoughts and feelings every day much like I imagine others are.

There are many ways to act so I’m sharing here five ways I have been trying to combat this rough year. In short, donate, pay attention, and help get out the vote.

5 Ways to Combat This Rough Year

1. Ukraine – We contributed to World Central Kitchen and here’s where you can donate if this interests you.
2. Abortion rights – We contributed to National Network of Abortion Funds and here’s where you can donate if this interests you.
3. Everytown for Gun Safety – I set up a fundraiser through Instagram and contributed to that. Here’s where you can donate to the organization if that interests you.
4. Still We Rise – This is just one of many accounts I follow that consistently focuses on major causes and shares information of how members of the public can participate. I try to always read news materials and follow accounts of people having the kinds of conversations that I think are important, not just consuming light and fun content.
5. Political involvement – In the 2018 and 2020 elections, I helped campaign for candidates and joined organizations that were getting out the vote and phone banking throughout the country. The beauty of doing that is you get to help push for policies and candidates you support even if you aren’t in their district. If you don’t know where to start, check out Black Voters Matter, Color of Change, She Should Run, and Voto Latino.

There are plenty of organizations and mobilizers to support and actions to take and this list is only a teeny one compared to all that we can do. If you have any suggestions for me, please drop them in the comments below. And if any of the above information is new to you, I hope you’ll click through and participate too.