I’m not a political strategist. I’m not a lawyer, or a pundit, or a billionaire. I’m a woman of a “certain age,” a writer by trade, a mother, a citizen, and a cancer survivor. I’m living through mounting medical bills and economic uncertainty. But none of that has numbed my alarm at what’s happening in this country. And I know I’m not alone.
Today, the labor statistics commissioner was fired for presenting economic data that didn’t flatter the administration (oh, hell—let’s call it what it is: a regime). Media companies and law firms are quietly folding under political pressure. And here we are, watching familiar institutions bend, crack, or break under the weight of creeping authoritarianism.
Authoritarianism doesn’t start with tanks in the streets. It starts with loyalty tests, silenced truths, and normalized chaos.
So the question I keep asking—maybe you are too—is: What can we, the average people, actually do?
It’s easy to feel powerless. But I don’t believe we are. Here’s what I’ve learned—and what I’m trying to live by—in this moment.
1. Use Your Voice, Even If It Feels Small
I post on social media. I talk to friends. I show up for protests when I can. These acts may seem insignificant, but they add up. People are listening. People are watching.
If you’ve got a voice, use it. Even a single post that says, “This isn’t normal—and I’m not okay with it” can start a conversation.
2. Write Something. Anything.
I’m a writer, so yes, this is my comfort zone. But you don’t need credentials or polish to write from the heart.
Letters to the editor
Blog posts or newsletters (like this one)
Notes to your elected officials
Social media posts that spark questions or offer clarity
You don’t have to know everything to write something. You just have to care.
If you’re looking for inspiration, I recommend following Heather Cox Richardson; her work has helped me make sense of many things that once felt too tangled to touch.
3. Join Others Already Doing the Work
You don’t have to do this alone. In fact, you shouldn’t.
There are organizations that welcome people like us—ordinary citizens—into the fight for democracy. A few I admire:
Postcards to Voters – write handwritten notes to get out the vote
Vote Forward – letter-writing campaigns to underrepresented voters
Red Wine & Blue – grassroots organizing by and for women in suburban and swing districts
League of Women Voters – nonpartisan civic engagement and education
There are virtual options, flexible roles, and places where your voice does matter—even if you can’t knock doors or donate money.
4. Have the Hard Conversations
This is maybe the hardest—and most important—thing we can do. Talk to your family. Your friends. Your neighbors. Don’t argue. Ask questions. Tell your story.
“I’m really worried about what I’m seeing. How are you feeling about all of this?”
Don’t try to win them over with statistics or shouting. Instead, share what’s moved you. You might be surprised who listens when you come with sincerity, not soundbites.
5. Don’t Look Away
I know how tempting it is to unplug. I feel that pull every day. But we can’t afford to look away—not now. Not when so much is at stake.
That doesn’t mean doomscrolling. It means intentional awareness. Choose a few trusted sources and check in regularly. Stay informed, stay curious, stay connected.
This Is Still Our Country
If you’ve ever said, “This isn’t who we are”—now is the time to prove it. Not by screaming into the void, but by showing up wherever you can. By voting. By organizing. By writing. By reminding the people around you that we still have a choice.
We’re not too far gone. But we do have to act.
And if you’ve been wondering, “What can I do?”—start here. Start now. Start small. But start.