by Marybeth O’Mara
March 5, 2025
Every week feels like a year, doesn’t it? It has been just six weeks since this administration began, and it has been a wild ride. Only 200 more weeks to go!
The pace of the chaos is a reminder to me to take care of myself and the people I care about. Even though the pace has been frenetic and speedy, this will last a while and we need to treat it as a marathon, not a sprint. Here are some things I am finding helpful to stay (at least somewhat) balanced these days. While I had already started my own list of ideas that give me pleasure, courage, or respite, I was inspired by Chauncey Devega’s piece in Salon last week: “ Saving democracy takes practice: Practical skills you need to survive Trump's second term. https://www.salon.com/2025/02/28/saving-democracy-takes-practice-practical-skills-you-need-to-survive-second-term/
His list is longer than mine, but here are some of my own current coping activities.
Nature
As I write this, the rain is pouring down, but the trend in the past week or ten days has inspired in me the same hope I feel every March. February is over and while there is no green yet to be seen, the air holds the promise of spring and green in a way that it didn’t just a couple of weeks ago, and the longer days are much appreciated. It’s time to make good on my New Year’s resolution to walk every day, including after dinner, and I look forward to pulling out the kayak when the weather is warmer still. Early May is when I plant herbs and start filling in window boxes with flowering plants, which always gives me joy, and shapes my view to outside from my couch.
Reading
I tend to listen to audio books rather than sit and read them, and that is even more the case now. I have replaced most of my pre-election podcast diet with books, which leans toward fiction with a smattering of non-fiction. I have always loved Maggie O’Farrell’s writing, and her Hamnet is one of my all-time favorite books. In 2025, I have also read her memoir I Am I Am I Am, which I loved, and The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox. I felt like a detective spotting glimpses of the personal experiences she recounted in I Am I Am I Am find new expressions in her fiction. I have also always loved Kate Atkinson and read her latest Jackson Brody detective caper Death at the Sign of the Rook, which was a fun Agatha Christie-style romp.
Other recent reads have been Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod, a post-apocalyptic horror story that tracks the destruction of a population through their addiction to biased media. It felt a bit too close to home right now but was a decent read for those who like the genre, which is not my usual cup of tea.
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl was a fairy tale-esque exploration through French cuisine and culture, and was a fun read in anticipation of my trip to France next month!
The Sequel (by Jean Hanff Korelitz) was a fast fun read that was an actual sequel to her 2021 surprise hit, The Plot, and was full of twists and turns. I look forward to the next one in what seems to be a new series.
I also just finished A Well Trained Wife by Tia Levings, which tells her own story of being part of a fundamentalist Christian marriage and community, and her eventual breakaway from that lifestyle. She uses her insights on that life and culture to analyze the current political environment and how it has been influenced by and seems beholden to the Christian fundamentalist movement. In many ways, it reminds me of Tara Westover’s Educated, which also gave me a first-person dive into a community with which I have no contact.
Relationships
Staying in touch is often a struggle. I am not a big fan of phone calls, and prefer in-person meetings or video conferencing, but synching up schedules to make that happen can be a challenge. My goal is to spend time with friends or family (outside of my neighborhood circle) once or twice every week, and the improving weather makes it easier to accomplish.
Last week, we enjoyed a wonderful visit with all my children and grandchildren in one city; there is nothing better than soaking in all of them enjoying each other and meeting a new member of the family. Memories of the shared meals, game-playing, and laughter will carry me for awhile.
Savoring Human Accomplishment
I’ve been trying to get out more and enjoy all the wonderful creative arts in Chicago. In the past few weeks, we have been to Lookingglass Theater’s Cirque Quixote (thought-provoking and creative) and Thalia Hall’s Barn Dance Apocalypse (completely interactive and super fun.)
This weekend, we will explore the Frick Museum Pittsburgh, and later this month, we will see what Louisville and Bowling Green have to offer. It feels good to peel myself off the couch and see something in the world, and not just on my TV, and I feel connected to other ticket holders at these events.
What are you doing to shift constant focus from the bad news and nourish yourself?
Updates on last week:
*The International Women’s Day Marches are this Saturday, March 8!
Chicago’s starts at 11:00 at Daley Plaza. Check here for information about what’s happening where you live:
International Women’s Day: Unite & Resist
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Women's March
This International Women’s Day, let’s build and strengthen the relationships we’ll need to face what’s ahead—together. Whether it’s a local protest, a community meeting, block party, rally, potluck, BBQ, or a casual coffee meetup, the goal is the same: connect with your neighbors, build community, and create the networks we’ll need to resist fascism and the takeover of our freedoms.
*Take down Tesla, Trump, and Tyranny
Organized by Indivisible, there is one in Chicago, also this Saturday, March 8.
Takedown Tesla, Trump and Tyranny · Indivisible
Join Indivisible Chicago in the streets as we rally and march from Jane M. Byrne Plaza Park to the Gold Coast Tesla dealership where we will call out Elon Musk for his attempts to dismantle our democracy, and to inflict pain on your family and the most vulnerable. Math doesn't lie and it's showing us we're about to get screwed. House Republicans have passed the framework for a 4.5 trillion dollar tax cut for the rich, a massive transfer of wealth from the working class to the wealthiest Ame...
Indivisible March from Jane Byrne Park to Tesla Dealership
*Another organization I have discovered is 50501; they organized protests at state capitals in all 50 states on Tuesday, March 4, and are certain to organize more. Stay tuned here: https://www.fiftyfifty.one/
*Pro-Ukraine protests came together with little advance notice last weekend following the Oval Office debacle with Pres. Zelensky, including one on Michigan Avenue joined by Sen. Durbin and Rep. Quigley. This was organized by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Ukrainian Daughters Foundation. Tune in to these sites to keep up with the latest:
Welcome - Vitayemo - Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
Since 1940, the largest representation of Americans of Ukrainian descent
Events | UDF Non-Profit For Ukraine
Join us at one of our events, famous for their warm, welcoming, and creative atmosphere. 100% of funds raised are donated!
*I am hoping to canvas for the April 1 election in Wisconsin. There are just a few more weekends before the election. Much of the attention has been concentrated on the State Supreme Court race, into which Elon Musk is shoveling money in order to flip it from blue to red (again). Several organizations are organizing volunteers for this worthy cause, both physical canvassing and phone banking–sign up if you can.
Volunteer Opportunities, Events, and Petitions Near Me · Vote Save America PAC on Mobilize
Find events, petitions, volunteer opportunities, fundraisers and more with Vote Save America PAC.
Operation Swing State
Illinois Democrats can make the difference. Join us and we'll help you knock doors, make phone calls and elect Democrats in our two battleground neighbors of Michigan and Wisconsin.
*Not all of our Congressional reps are hosting town Halls, and Repubicans have been advised not to by their leadership because of so many meetings sidelined by angry constituents, many of which have gone viral. But my Representative, Mike Quigley is hoisting one tonight, albeit virtually. I will be there! If you are interested but cannot join, it will be posted on YouTube. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-town-hall-with-congressman-mike-quigley-quigley-tickets-1259975563829?aff=oddtdtcreator
*The ACLU is fighting like crazy on a number of fronts. Their website offers a lot of different ways to support their work by adding your voice to those who believe in the same things you do.
Stop Project 2025 | American Civil Liberties Union
Project 2025 is 900 pages of proposals that would torpedo our rights – and directly harm real families like yours and mine. I’m joining @ACLU to stop these policies from ever becoming reality. Are you with me?
*Last week’s Economic Blackout was well-received, but, of course, a single day does not do much to change things. Watch for calls for more enduring economic actions, as well as targeted boycotts against specific employers and consumer-facing businesses, including Target. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/03/04/did-feb-28-economic-blackout-work/81191601007/
Get outside and have a good week!