Think Global, Serve Local: Finding Ways to Move From Overload to Action

There is a lot going on in our world right now. Technology has given us access to information about things that are happening all around world; things that are out of our control and overwhelming in their “bigness.” From geopolitical conflicts and violence, rising societal polarization and economic insecurity, to the environmental crises across the globe and rapid technological changes with developing artificial intelligence and our near constant connectivity; it is more than we can hold and creates an anxiety of helplessness and hopelessness that leads to feeling paralyzed in our fears.

1. Low-Pressure Micro Actions: These are one-off actions you can take any time that require little to no preparation:
   • Check On Your People: Whether it’s a quick text message, phone call or showing up at someone’s house, connecting with the people in your community strengthens your relationships and creates a vital support system in your area.
   • Neighborhood Clean-Up: Spend 20 minutes walking around your neighborhood or local park picking up litter. Seeing clean spaces can provide instant visual proof of your impact.
   • Support Local Businesses: Shop in your community and at farmer’s markets. This is a practical way to continue to invest and support members of your community and keeps money local.
   • Random Acts of Kindness: Simple, small gestures can reduce your stress levels and bring a sense of connectedness. It could be things like bringing in your neighbor’s garbage can from the street, returning someone’s grocery cart for them, posting positive messages on a community board, or buying coffee for the person behind you in line.
   • Share Resources: Engage in mutual aid. Organizations like the Buy Nothing Project help connect you with others around you to give and receive resources.
2. Local Service Opportunities: No need to reinvent the wheel; join with others in your communities that are already out there making a difference.
   • Serve at your local food bank or shelter. Volunteering for local community projects allows you to work alongside others building a sense of connection and solidarity as well as meets the tangible needs of those around you. Organizations like JustServe.org can connect you to volunteer opportunities in your area.
   • Join a community garden project. This can help the environment while providing the grounding benefits of being outdoors and working with your hands.
   • Visit your local library, museum or community center. This helps these inclusive spaces flourish and connects you to your community.
3. Civic Engagement: Move from consumption of endless media headlines to participation in your community.
   • Attend your local city council or school board meetings. This offers a way for you to directly influence policies and see change happening in real time.
   • Write letters or call your local representatives, sign petitions, vote in your local elections, volunteer to help a local candidate’s campaign.
   • Participate local surveys to provide feedback on proposed local regulations or city-level initiatives.

By choosing even one of these small actions, you can shift you from a state of information overload and paralyzing anxiety to one of active participation and contribution to your local community. It shows that you care about what is happening to those around you and helps to ease some of the powerlessness we can feel when reading about all that is happening in the world.