The World Feels Like a Mess. So I Opened an Activist Café & Spa (In My Dreams)

Because fighting for change shouldn’t mean burning ourselves out.

Trump just gave his first address to the nation, and no, I didn’t watch it. I made banana bread for my family.

I don’t need to hear him lie, attack, and gaslight the country in real-time to know what’s happening. I know enough. And I know that a lot of us are feeling the weight of it all. (My daughter thinks my banana bread is the best. My secret? Replace half the milk required with sour cream and add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top.)

In recent years, we’ve seen a major shift: more people are tuning out politics, avoiding tough conversations, and even cutting ties over where people stand on fundamental rights.

And I get it; political exhaustion is real. It’s overwhelming to keep up with every crisis, every injustice, every moment that feels like democracy itself is on the brink.

Disengagement is exactly what those in power are counting on. They want us to feel helpless. They want us to believe nothing we do will change things.

But here’s the truth: we are not powerless. And we are not alone.

That’s why, instead of spiraling, I’m choosing to set boundaries and take action, and I hope you’ll join me.

Latino Voters Are Seeing the Truth. But Will It Be Too Late?

While I chose banana bread over political theater tonight, something more significant is happening across the country. The reality of Trump's policies is beginning to cut through the noise.

A new poll shows that Latino voters overwhelmingly disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy because they are feeling the impact in real-time.

• 67% percent of Latino voters rate the U.S. economy as poor.

• The cost of living is their top concern.

• Most do not believe Trump is focused on their struggles. Only 17% think he cares about inflation and jobs.

Many Latino voters are recognizing the disconnect between Trump’s promises and reality, but they are not the only ones.

Across the country, millions of Americans are feeling the consequences of his policies.

• Seniors are realizing their healthcare and Social Security could be slashed.

• Thousands of government workers are losing their jobs overnight.

• Everyday families are struggling with rising prices while Trump’s economic policies benefit only the wealthy.

For those of us who have been fighting to sound the alarm, this moment is frustrating. But it is also an opportunity because more people are waking up. (See below for photos of today’s March 4th protests in several cities around the country)

The question is: what do we do now?

Welcome to the Activist Café & Spa

The other night, I had a dream. It was a weird, vivid dream.

I walked into a cozy café, except it was not just a café. It was also a spa for activists. A place where you could pick what you needed.

I woke up realizing this dream wasn't just my subconscious being quirky, it was wisdom my mind needed to share with all of us.

✅ Feeling overwhelmed? Start with self-care.

✅ Short on time? Grab a quick action.

✅ Ready to go all in? There is a community waiting for you.

Because fighting for change should not mean running yourself into the ground. We need rest and action. So here is a menu of options for whatever you need today.

💆‍♀️ The “Soothies” Section – Self-Care Before Action

(Because you cannot fight the good fight if you are running on fumes.)

• Walk It Off Tea 🍵 – Take a 15-minute walk, no phone, no doomscrolling. Just fresh air and deep breaths.
  

• The Cozy Blanket Action Plan 🛋️ – Wrap yourself in a blanket, watch a comforting show, and give your brain a break.
  

• The Rage-Write Macchiato ✍️ – Journal your frustrations. Burn the pages or send them to Congress.
  

• The Media Detox Facial 💆‍♀️ – Take a 24-hour break from doomscrolling. The world will still be here tomorrow.
  

• The Hydration Mandate 🚰 – Drink water, eat something nourishing, and get some sleep. Revolutionaries need rest.
  

📞 The “Bites of Action” Section – Quick, Easy, and Impactful

(Perfect for when you want to do something but do not have a ton of time.)

• Five-Minute Call Shot ☕ – Call your rep about an issue. It takes less time than making coffee. That five-minute call? Congressional staffers actually track these, and they matter. Use 5-calls! Check them out here.
  

• Resistance Croissant 🥐 – If you can, donate to a cause. Even one dollar makes a difference.
  

• Sign and Dine Combo ✍️ – Sign a petition while waiting for your food delivery and share it with 3 friends.
  

• The Info-Share Nachos 🗣️ – Send a trusted article or explainer to a friend who needs a nudge.
  

🏡 The “Takeout Activism” Section – Do It From Home

(Because changing the world can happen in sweatpants.)

• Letters and Postcards Platter 📬 – Write letters to voters. Right now, we can use your help to reach people in Wisconsin for their upcoming Supreme Court race! Check out Vote Forward for more.
  

• The Passion Project Platter 💡 – Pick an issue you care about and find a local organization working on it. You can:

  • Search for organizations near you or your city’s local government site.

  • Follow local activist groups on social media to stay informed. Many post ways to help from home.

  • Sign up for virtual volunteer opportunities like phone banking, text banking, or social media outreach.

  • Donate or fundraise for a group doing important work in your area.
    

• The Misinformation Detox 🧹 – Help fight disinformation by fact-checking and reporting misleading posts online. Share trusted sources instead. One of my favorite resources is the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas. Check out their resources on fighting misinformation.
  

🌍 The “Pa’ Todos” Section – Get Involved with Others

(Because activism is better together when you’re an extrovert!)

• Community Stew 🏘️ – Find a local event, meeting, or volunteer opportunity.
  

• Block Party Voter Drive 🗳️ – Organize or join a voter registration event.
  

• The Protest Platter 📢 – Find a local march or rally and show up. Numbers matter. (See below for photos of today’s March 4th protests in several cities around the country)

What Comes Next?

The anxiety we are feeling is real. The frustration is valid. The desire to check out is understandable.

But we cannot afford to disengage.

• We are seeing people wake up.

• We are seeing the consequences hit home.

• We have an opportunity to organize, educate, and mobilize.

And that starts with deciding: What is on your activism menu today?

So take a deep breath. Pick something. And do something that moves us forward.

I will be here, waiting at our virtual Activist Café & Spa with a cup of Walk It Off Tea, ready to remind you that we can make a difference.

What Is on Your Activism Menu Today?

I'm ordering the Media Detox Facial and a side of Five-Minute Call Shot this week. What are you trying from our menu? Drop a comment, and let's build this activism community together, one menu item at a time. 💛

Remember, in this café, no order is too small, and we're all in this together.

March 4th 50501 Protests around the country

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LcRQEqw-eVZhl0GkWsnd069VkHLd440p/view

https://democrats-budget.house.gov/trumps-project-2025-raises-prescription-drug-costs-seniors

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/27/how-project-2025-which-trump-disavowed-is-shaping-his-health-policies

https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/03/who-benefits-from-trump-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-extension.html

https://www.crfb.org/blogs/trump-tax-priorities-total-5-11-trillion