Blue Heron Farm: We have been working around some pretty advanced fascism here in Texas for a while now. Longer than the rest of y'all. Mutual aid is 100% the way to go. And I mean actual community work, not asking for personal donations on the internet. Build systems of care.

I know I mention this every time some notable fascism happens, but one simple way to help fight it is to to help people work around it. Buy a pack of these stickers for $20, or ask for a free pack if you don't have the money. Then stick them in public restrooms, etc www.plancpills.org/stickers

Stickers & Mini-Flyers | Plan Cwww.plancpills.org Order stickers, flyers, protest signs and more to help spread information on abortion pill access by mail.

We have been working around some pretty advanced fascism here in Texas for a while now. Longer than the rest of y'all. Mutual aid is 100% the way to go. And I mean actual community work, not asking for personal donations on the internet. Build systems of care.

Houston's chapter of Food Not Bombs is always looking for people to help procure food donations, to cook, and to serve meals. The same is probably true where you are if you live in a city. Or make donations to community free fridges in your city. Feeding people is a powerful act of rebellion.

Get yourself a prison pen pal. Humanize someone that the government has worked so hard to dehumanize. Massive fight against fascism win. Do a book drive for people in jail or prison, if you're in a state where they are still allowed to receive books. Education is power.

These are the types of things I started doing in 2016, and while they won't keep you from occasional spirals, they will lift you out of a persistent feeling of helplessness. You're only helpless if you decide to be helpless. Take a bit to feel really rotten if you need it and then get to work.

I also started taking anti-anxiety medicine. If you've never been evaluated for anxiety, but you feel anxious or helpless a lot, maybe look into it. I'm not trying to medicate everyone, but I will tell you that it has immensely improved my life.

And one last thing, if you're comfortable speaking in front of people, run for office. I ran for an unwinnable seat in the Texas legislature in 2018. I'm still proud of the campaign I ran, which included a lot of educating people about the state of our state. Change takes time and persistence.

Good for you!

Awesome!

As much as I would personally LOVE to run for office, unfortunately if you get SSI (US disability welfare) like I do, you running for office is going to make the Social Security Administration (SSA) cut your benefits off because it thinks you can somehow support yourself now.

I’m not medicated for anxiety but I’ve had a lot of therapy around “existential anxiety dread” lately and it’s really helped the other thing that really helped me was stopping drinking caffeine - but of course this is all very individual

I was not actually medicated for anxiety, I was medicated for unlivable hot flashes in perimenopause. But with an anti-anxiety medicine. I would never have told you I had anxiety before, but clearly I did because I'm a different person now. I no longer live in unchecked doom about politics.

Caffeine gives me arthritis. This is apparently rare. Osteoporosis isn't rare, especially among women. It's *supposed to keep you awake* so insomnia should be expected. Never got anxiety from it, no matter how much sense that makes.

I have also done the medicine part. Unfortunately for me, my anxiety is really really tough to handle when things are good. Following you though has been helpful, its great to see the value you bring to this world.

Escitalopram saved me.

Another good way to feel less helpless in your state is to write postcards to get out the vote. Turnout in Texas is about the lowest in the continental US, and postcards have been shown to move the needle. www.turnoutpac.org/postcards/

When I ran for office, I threw a couple postcard writing parties. ❤️

I am not in the least bit surprised! Thanks for putting yourself out there, couldn’t have been easy. This was more for your followers than for you…

Good advice!

Can I provide a quick plug for the Inside Books Project? They provide books to people incarcerated in Texas and are always in need of donations (incl. by mail)! insidebooksproject.org/donate-books

Donate Used Books in Austininsidebooksproject.org Donate gently used books in Austin. Sent free to prisoners in Texas.

The same it true even out in the smaller counties and towns - blessing boxes, food banks, clothing banks, kitchens that provide breakfast and lunch daily, others that provide dinner weekly Yes, a lot have a foundation in religion, but they don't care who helps out - just that they help out.

I know Food Not Bombs feeds people at night, but do you know what time they prepare all the food? I'm busy most evenings, but I make a pretty good veggie stir-fry.

I imagine it depends on the group. Best to talk to a representative in your local.

Thanks!

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