How To Take Meaningful Action When The World Feels Scary And Overwhelming

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Something’s been weighing heavily on me, and I know I’m not the only one feeling this way.

Lately, there’s been so much heaviness and uncertainty in the world, especially here in the U.S., and so many people I talk to are feeling helpless, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. And when things feel scary, the easiest thing to do is to shut down.

I get it. We stop consuming the news, we try to look away, hoping it will all just go away on its own.

But here’s what I know for sure: ignoring problems doesn’t make them disappear. (Ask me about my credit card debt in my 30s. Ignoring that didn’t work out too well for me either.)

The truth is, even the smallest actions create momentum and bring relief. Paying off a few dollars of debt. Sending one email. Donating $5. Calling a senator. Picking up litter at your park. These small movements matter because they remind us we’re not powerless.

Today, let’s talk about how to take meaningful action, even when the world feels scary, so we can move from fear and overwhelm toward the world we actually want to live in.

The Cycle of Fear (And How to Step Out of It)

I found myself doom-scrolling—awake in the middle of the night, panic-refreshing news apps, heart racing, feeling like I couldn’t do anything to change the state of the world. It was affecting how I showed up for my family, my work, and my own mental health.

Sound familiar?

It’s a cycle: fear makes us look for more fear, which makes us feel worse, which makes us seek out more information to control the fear…and around we go.

I want to be clear: I’m not saying we should ignore what’s happening or pretend everything is fine when it isn’t. But there is a big difference between being informed and being consumed by fear.

When we live in constant fear, we become paralyzed. We stop taking action, stop living with purpose, and start to feel like everything is hopeless.

Moving Toward Hope Instead of Running From Fear

In marketing, there’s a concept that you can motivate people through fear or through hope. Fear-based messages might push you to act quickly, but living in constant fear is draining and unsustainable.

Hope-based action, on the other hand, moves you toward what you want to create. It fills you up instead of draining you.

It’s the difference between “I have to secure my house because the world is terrifying” and “I’m taking steps to create a safe, nurturing environment for my family.”

We can let fear push us into action, but let’s not let it keep us stuck. Let’s use it to get moving, then let hope and purpose sustain us.

Small Actions Matter More Than You Think

If you shift the path of a plane by just one degree, over 60 miles it will be a mile off course. Small actions add up, and small changes over time lead to big movement.

When I was 19, I traveled the world with Up With People, and we did service projects in every city we visited. A group of 30 teenagers could clean up an entire park in one morning, paint playground equipment, or organize a food bank with joyful chaos and chatter.

That’s what happens when people move in the same direction, even in small ways: things change.

Let’s Do “One Small Thing” Together

I’m starting something on my Substack called One Small Thing. Every Monday, we’ll take one small action together to make the world a better place—call a senator, donate a few dollars, volunteer, or reflect on how we walk through the world. No action is too small, and collective action is powerful.

Because doing something is always better than doing nothing.

Introducing “Mom Squads” (Or Friend Squads)

If you want to take it a step further, gather 5-20 friends (in person or on Zoom), talk about what you care about, and find a local organization already doing that work. Volunteer there together.

Call it a Mom Squad, Friend Squad, whatever you want—but watch how quickly collective energy creates change.

• Want to support local schools? Run a small fundraiser together.
• Want to help the environment? Do a cleanup or community gardening.
• Want to support families in need? Volunteer at a local food pantry.

It doesn’t need to be perfect or complicated. Coffee, Costco muffins, a group text invite, and you’re on your way.

Walk Through the World With Kindness

A huge part of creating a better world is how we show up in our daily lives. Smile at strangers. Hold the door open. Let someone merge in traffic. Check in on a friend. Leave every room brighter than when you entered it.

These small acts matter because energy is contagious. You can’t control everything happening in the world, but you can control how you show up in it.

Take Care of Yourself

You can’t show up for the world if you aren’t showing up for yourself.

This isn’t about spa days (though take them if you can). It’s about your Daily Five Fill-Me-Ups—small, consistent actions that keep you grounded and nourished so you can continue to be a light in the world.

If you don’t know what your five are, you can take my free 3-day challenge to figure them out.

The World Needs You

Your small, consistent actions matter.

Every time you show up—taking care of yourself, making a call, volunteering an hour—you help build the world you want to live in.

Don’t wait for the world to feel less heavy before you start. Your presence and light are needed right now.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to do everything. Just your one small thing today.

We’ve got this, friend. Let’s go.