Self-Preservation and Self-Care in this New Year of Tension

Last updated on: January 13, 2026 at 11:22 am by Susan Oser

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Self-Preservation and Self-Care in this New Year of Tension 2026-01-13T11:22:17-05:00 Susan Oser

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#spreadlove #selfcare #motivation #motivational #community

♬ original sound – Christus für alle

I recently made a video on TikTok and posted on all my other video social media platforms about what we can do when it come to the recent news coming out of Minneapolis and other cities. I know that speaking for myself, it is extremely overwhelming and mind-numbing. It also feels pretty scary too. Unfortunately, in this day and age of technology, once you click a like, the algorithm has you trapped in the cycles of for and against the evidence as if it is red meat being thrown into a lions cage at the zoo.

So what can you do to survive your sanity and your soul?

The following is my video and the list below:

Find your spiritual root – It doesn’t matter form of spirituality or philosophy you believe in. This is the most imperative and important thing that needs to be done right now. Even if you don’t believe in something, you need to find a kind of anchor for your soul to keep you grounded. With the chaos surrounding us right now. Having some sort of soul anchor will be the refuge you can come back to when everything else you do seems out of control.
Find ways to center yourself and go into a peaceful state of mind. Do you meditate? Is your body needing a lot of rest? Maybe you just need that alone time out in nature to align yourself. Even if the plan is to sleep for the day, do whatever you need to do that brings you peace. It’s the greatest self-care that you can do for yourself.
What makes you happy? Is here something that brings you joy in your life that can help you forget the world for awhile? It could be watching your favorite movie or TV show; being creative; meeting with your friends. Whatever makes you happy, do it and embrace it. Happiness is healthy and we all have the right to do so.
#SpreadLove. Whenever you are connecting to the outside world, don’t be afraid to show some love to your fellow man. It doesn’t have to be anything big, but something small such as a smile to a stranger, a compliment to cashier; making someone’s day by engaging in small talk; paying for someone’s meal at a restaurant. These little gestures really do add up. Online, you can post a positive comment like a thumbs up, a smile or send a message expressing how you feel about their content if they make videos online. You can even check in with your online friends to make sure they are doing ok. Even from a long distance, that means a lot.

While the world wants us to fear and submit, true resistance comes from taking ourselves and showing the world the light and happiness we can express and enjoy together. Let’s make sure to watch out and support each other. However, we can’t do that unless we take care of ourselves first.

Questions for Discussion:

How do you deal with the constant news cycle these days?
What do you do that makes you happy?
What would you add to the list above?

About Susan:

Susan is a fan of music and culture and kind of considers herself that way. To get to know a little more about her, as well as future updates, you can find her at the links below:

My Patheos Column

Visit my Facebook author page.

and Website

Health, Fitness and Religion

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