We’re not OK, and it’s better to admit it

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/03/2025 (234 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I am not OK. My family and friends are not OK. Ryan, my deli guy, is not OK. He tells me he feels helpless, overwhelmed, by the constant political turmoil and the feeling that nothing he does will make a difference. Folks, the kids are not OK.

So, if you feel like you’re stuck on a roller-coaster, like life is spinning out of control and you can’t get off, I’m here to tell you — you’re not alone. The world feels unhinged. Every headline seems more unbelievable than the last, every debate more polarized, and it’s increasingly unsettling to be at the mercy of an unpredictable U.S. government.

It’s OK to feel lost, sad, or angry. It’s OK to cry. The weight of the world is heavy, and there’s no shame in acknowledging that. We’ve lived through a global pandemic, genocides and wars are raging across the world, and now our closest ally and neighbour is openly threatening our sovereignty — using decisions with profound consequences as a tactic to force us into submission.

Even if I tried to sugarcoat it, I would fail miserably. The world is at a tipping point and pretending everything is fine only makes it worse. We don’t need to “stay positive” to get through this. We need to be real about how hard things are.

To those “remaining neutral” or choosing to “stay out of it” — this is happening whether you acknowledge it or not. To those who say, “I have American friends,” if they’re truly your friends, they’ll understand. My oldest friend in Minneapolis does. My relatives in New York do too. And you know what they all say? We stand with you. Turn off our lights!

So, to those who hesitate to get involved — doing nothing is not an option. Join us. As cliché as it sounds, we really are stronger together.

The political divide is widening, misinformation is rampant, and you probably find yourself swearing a lot more than usual. That’s OK. Let it out. It’s easy to feel powerless. But even in dark times, we don’t have to surrender to the chaos. We always have a choice.

For me, that means being intentional about where my money goes. Since October 2023, I’ve boycotted Starbucks and McDonald’s — small but deliberate acts that align with my values.

Small actions matter. They teach important lessons. I want my son to understand why we make these choices. It’s not just a financial decision; it’s a moral one. Boycotting isn’t just about withholding money — it’s about standing up for justice, responsibility, and the power of collective action.

Right now, he’s learning that even something as simple as Goldfish crackers has consequences. Because of U.S. tariffs, we’ve had to leave them behind. It’s not an easy conversation, but it helps him understand that our actions, big or small, shape the world we live in. Standing up for what’s right isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. And each of us has a role to play.

As parents, our instinct is to shield our kids from the horrors of the world. But how does that serve their best interests when they live in this world? They feel our stress, and they need to know why. Help them understand. Share small, digestible pieces of information — bite-sized, like a Goldfish cracker. It empowers them at a young age, giving them the tools to make sense of our choices and actions. It also helps them to be better and do better.

The road ahead won’t be easy. The chaos will continue. And sadly, we’ve likely only seen the beginning. This is not going to blow over on its own. Sorry!

So, buckle up. It’s time to push back. Let’s make choices that align with our values. Let’s hold on to what we can control. Even when the world feels unhinged, we can resist the chaos and build something better in its place.

But it starts with being honest about where we are right now. And we are all at different stages. Work through the discomfort. Scream if you need to. Get your head out of the sand — whatever it takes. Then, get your game face on and get those elbows up. We may not have all the answers, and we don’t know exactly what’s coming. But we do know this: The way forward isn’t through division. It’s through taking care of each other. It’s by standing strong. It’s about staying informed. And it’s about making choices that drive real change.

Folks, we will get through this. The true north will forever be strong and free.

Samantha Turenne is a Winnipeg writer.