​Unplug, refocus and take care: small revolutionary acts

By Sabrina Hornung

sabrina@hpr1.com

2025 marks us halfway through the roaring 2020s. Boy, am I glad I didn’t bob my hair for this go-around. It feels like we’re off to the wrong roar, opening Pandora’s box of what-the-Fox news.

Thanks to the interweb, we’ve become accustomed to the world at our fingertips and no speed limit on the information superhighway. Yet why does it feel like it’s leading to our de-evolution? Between this 24-hour news cycle, doomscrolling through social media, and the winter SADD I don’t think I’m the only one feeling a little helpless… hopeless even. Hashtag live, laugh, lament, amiright?

What can we as individuals do to make any level of difference when it feels like the world is burning? Waking up to see what fresh hell awaits us is overwhelming. We have no control over what others think and do. After all, we're the only folks we can influence and we can only have any level of control over our own actions. Maybe instead, we need to unplug and refocus on small revolutionary acts that may or may not intersect with the things we already enjoy.

Play in the dirt and learn about food preservation methods

I’m already daydreaming about a garden. Gardening is a revolutionary act. It’s creating a food source and it’s developing an appreciation of the soil. And once the fruits of your labor ripen, it’s actually kind of fun to find new recipes.

One can learn a lot in the garden. You learn patience, you develop a routine, you learn to appreciate, pause and even have an opportunity to cultivate community, if you choose to share or trade your bounty. The nice thing about a garden is you don’t have to have an overwhelming amount of space. You’d be surprised what you can grow with little space. In fact, my plants live in containers, and you can grow a lot of tomatoes in a five gallon pail. Plus, it’s satisfying to watch things grow. Seeds are cheap and the NDSU extension office has some really great free gardening and food preservation resources.

There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with consuming produce you raised. In fact, I feel really decadent when I can open a jar of pickles or compote that I made. One personal goal for 2025 is to learn how to can and learn more about food preservation. The price of groceries and food security is a hot topic of conversation right now. Plus, remember 2020 when the grocery shelves were empty? I'd suggest getting to know your neighbors and local producers at the farmer’s market and beyond.

Get thrifty or shop local

Could thrift store shopping be considered a revolutionary act? Now hear me out if I’m not already preaching to the choir—instead of contributing to the fast fashion epidemic, shop secondhand. You never know what you’ll find, they are designed to be affordable, you cut back on packaging waste that goes straight to the landfill by not ordering online and you’re not contributing to workforce injustices. By supporting these shops, you’re also contributing to a charity instead of some billion dollar corporation and you might come home with something truly unique. This goes beyond clothing — shop for gifts and housewares while you’re at it. I can’t guarantee your dishes will match, but I do feel that eclectic and sustainability is in.

A big part of thrifting is the thrill of the hunt and I fully admit that things can get a little tricky if you need something specific. (If you’re in need of socks and skivvies, we recommend buying those new.)

If you can’t find what you’re looking for secondhand, try to source things locally and meet your makers! Which all sounds blatantly obvious, but I live in a highly rural area and have to drive over an hour in every direction just to buy simple staples like socks. Buying these simple things locally almost feels like a luxury. If you can’t buy secondhand, support local businesses to keep business in your community.

Express yourself and embrace community

There are a lot of uncertainties and a lot of feelings in the air right now. Get them out. Get creative and get expressive, create art, keep a journal as a means of venting or logging ideas, or play music to strum, drum or sing it out. Seek out ways to get involved and become active in your community.

Bring back letter writing and express appreciation to those you care about. It’s fun to get mail (especially when it’s not a bill). It's a tangible means of connection. Some folks are really struggling right now, so check in on your friends. What’s more of a mood booster than to know someone is thinking about you? Maybe take it to the next level and send a care package. While you’re at it, write to your lawmakers and encourage your peers to do the same. Make them aware of issues that affect your everyday lives. That’s just one way we can be civically engaged and make your voice heard.

Support local journalism

One way you can get creative and active in the community is to share your voice and the voices of those around you by becoming a High Plains Reader contributor. We’re a community mouthpiece and we are here to lift and amplify voices within the region.

We’re always looking for writers and we do have a scholarship opportunity available via the Anne Krapu Journalism Scholarship. Each year, the foundation provides mentoring and financial support for one or two lucky writers aged 14-24 who are interested in pursuing journalism careers. Anne Krapu, our scholarship’s namesake, was a dear friend of HPR. She started her career as a writer at 16 with a weekly column in the Valley City Times Record and also published her work in High Plains Reader. Anne unexpectedly passed away in 2018 at age 31 and we’re honoring her memory and her legacy. Find more information on the Anne Krapu Scholarship at akrapu-hpr.org/.

If you would care to donate to the scholarship as a way to support independent journalism, please do. Reach out to the Anne Krapu Scholarship c/o FM Area Foundation, 409 7th St. So., Fargo, ND 58103. For any additional questions, please contact Madeline Luke by emailing mzlnd@yahoo.com.