Finding Peace in the Outrage

Editor's note: Monday marked the return to a nauseating era of our history. Within this article, you’ll find insight and reflection on how to handle the onset of extraordinarily intense feelings of rage, despair, and outrage. These perspectives are fully my own. If you are in need of additional assistance or are seeking mental health resources, please visit The National Institute of Mental Health or dial 988.

Intentionally, I do not discuss the President or his associates at length. I hope this break from the noise is helpful.

While it may seem counterintuitive to the title of this article, it’s essential to recognize and validate the outrage of this moment. This isn’t something to tamp down or ignore; it’s a reminder of deep care for the world, the community, and the values that are under siege. Outrage fuels resistance, but it burns fast and furious, leaving exhaustion in its wake. That exhaustion doesn’t just drain—it sidelines, pulling focus away from the causes and people being fought for. The challenge isn’t to extinguish outrage but to channel it in ways that sustain the fight for the long haul. That begins with rest—not as an escape, but as an act of resistance.

Rest isn’t retreat. It’s not letting the ‘bad guys’ win or abandoning the struggle. It’s recalibration— something briefly mentioned in yesterday’s editorial. The battles ahead demand clarity, strategy, and energy, none of which are possible when running on fumes. The fight for justice is a marathon, not a sprint, and resting now ensures the ability to keep going. But rest doesn’t mean disengaging. Stepping back for a day—or even a few hours—to disconnect from the relentless barrage of headlines isn’t ignoring what’s happening; it’s prioritizing the ability to act effectively when it matters most.

The key is to rest with intention, recognizing that every moment spent on care is preparation for the work ahead. That work is critical, and stepping away entirely would mean ceding ground to the forces that thrive on burnout and despair. Those forces benefit from exhaustion and hopelessness, aiming to make the fight seem futile because that makes their victory inevitable. Resting with purpose denies them that satisfaction. It’s how strength and focus are restored for the return.

Not every action needs to be monumental. Small gestures matter too. Sharing a meal with someone, donating to an organization, or simply being there for a friend are all acts of resistance in their own way. They reinforce the idea that even in dark times, people can come together to create light. These moments of care—for oneself and others—build the foundation for sustained resistance.

At the same time, keeping sight of the bigger picture is crucial. Outrage is a sign of commitment to something greater than oneself. Let it fuel the fight, but don’t let it consume. The fight against authoritarianism, inequality, and oppression isn’t won in one sweeping victory. It’s won inch by inch, through persistence, creativity, and the unshakable belief that justice is worth the struggle. This is a battle of endurance, and enduring means balancing outrage with hope and action with rest.

Equally important as rest is the ability to tune out distractions—particularly those intentionally crafted to provoke outrage and fear. The current administration thrives on chaos, using inflammatory rhetoric and performative actions to dominate the news cycle and manipulate public attention. These distractions are meant to sap energy and keep people reacting instead of organizing. Every time the cycle of outrage over a headline designed to provoke takes hold, it plays into their game. Recognizing the difference between substantive issues that require attention versus noise meant to derail is essential.

This doesn’t mean ignoring everything coming out of Washington. It means being intentional about where energy is focused. Does this headline matter in the long term? Does it affect the work being done or the people being fought for? If the answer is no, let it go. Save energy for the battles that matter—especially those in the community. By refusing to engage with every provocation, power is reclaimed, and control over emotional and mental states is maintained.

Despair can be seductive because it promises an end to the pain, but it’s a lie. Giving up might feel like relief in the short term, but it’s a betrayal of the ideals held dear. Some people in Washington want the public to believe nothing they do matters—that they’re powerless. But history tells a different story. Movements for change have always faced overwhelming odds—yet they endured because people refused to let the enormity of the challenge stop them from trying.

Now’s the time to recognize that rest, rage, and resistance are all tools to stay in the fight. Rest isn’t disengagement—it’s preparation. Feeling outrage isn’t despair—it’s proof that caring deeply still exists. Resisting, even when the odds feel impossible, affirms that justice, dignity, and humanity are worth fighting for. The road ahead won’t be easy, but no one is walking it alone. Together, it’s possible—and necessary—to keep going.