Does change feel impossible?

When was the last time you imagined a bright future but quickly dashed your own hopes? With curiosity and without judgment, take a moment to explore why. What comes up for you?

Conversely, when was the last time you had hope? When was the last time you felt motivated to take action toward a goal, even if you weren't sure the goal was entirely possible?

What was different about that from the impossible future you stopped yourself from believing in?

When we want to make a change, sometimes the end result feels too far away, like looking off into the distance at a castle on a mountain in the clouds. We have no idea how to reach the castle because the clouds cover more rolling hills, thick forests, rivers and valleys that feel to overwhelming to begin to map.

The good news about this is we only need to think about one step and one day at a time.

It's not too late to make history

Today, in the US, we have the chance to elect not just the first woman President in US history, but the first woman of color and second Black President. It should not be controversial for me to say that this election should not be as close as it's been forecasted to be, especially when one candidate is a convicted felon and aspiring autocrat who spews hateful rhetoric toward everyone who doesn't share his narrow demographics.

If you are feeling all the feelings about today, here are some things you can do:

1. Vote, if you haven't already. It's your right. Many states still have same-day registration, even at this late hour. As long as you're in line before polls close, you must be allowed to vote. If you have problems at the polls for any reason, you can call the ACLU Voter Protection Line at 1-866-OUR-VOTE
2. Remind your friends and family to vote. Tell them why voting matters to you personally, or what's at stake in this election. Send them the Project 2025 Comic.
3. ​Volunteer. The polls are still open, so you can still phonebank or help out in other ways. You can help out with ballot curing after today as well.
4. ​Swap your vote if you're a swing state voter planning to vote third party, or, someone in a non-swing state who can help a swing state voter with a swap.
5. Manage your energy. We all need to do everything we can, but it's important to take care of yourself in the process. We are very much in the home stretch at this point, so if your energy reserves are depleted, be proud of yourself for everything that you have done and celebrate yourself.
6. Support yourself - what will you need in order to feel cared for as results are counted? If that's community, how can you make sure you are surrounded by the right people? If that's comforting sensory experiences and rest, do you have those things prepared? If that's an escape into a good story, what book or series do you have queued up? Maybe it's a mix of all of those things. Whatever you do, please keep yourself safe, and make a plan if emotions become too overwhelming. Remember that you do not need to be actively in crisis or an immediate danger to yourself to reach out to 988 and receive help.

This evening, I am choosing hope, but caring for the fear that lives alongside it with sour gummy worms and peppermint patties.

Cee

P.S. In listening to my own energy and my body telling me to slow down in very overt and painful ways (yay, chronic illness life) I'm going to be reducing the frequency of this newsletter for the rest of the year and maybe longer depending on how long it takes to regain equilibrium. The success stories and advice I announced recently will launch in the new year as I am still taking applications. Please tell your friends as anyone and everyone are welcome to participate and it's a great opportunity to get in front of some cool, like-minded folks who might be inspired by you, want to work with you in the future, or just connect! Building community is so valuable.