By: Luke Gregory Boudewyns

June 17, 2025

With all of the uncertainty that has come from the bombardment of violence, terror, and sorrow in the news recently, it is more important than ever to strengthen the connections that we have with each other. We must do this to forge solidarity together against the tendency to give in and surrender to the forces that are trying to bring us down. Now, more than ever, it is essential to prioritize self-care so that we can support ourselves and others during these challenging times. It is also important to give yourself some space from the constant negativity of the news, while also taking action to inform yourself by seeking credible reports on current events. To make this easier for you, I have included some strategies and resources that you can use to start today; you don’t need to take on even more in your life, as these strategies are meant to help you navigate uncertain times. The key is building solidarity by creating connections and establishing trust to develop relationships. It is also important to keep yourself informed by taking the time to find as many reputable sources of news as possible.

Strategy One: Build a support network for yourself

One of the best ways to build support for yourself is by connecting with trusted individuals who can rely on you just as you rely on them. These small, close-knit groups, often called “pods,” are designed to provide mutual support while working toward meaningful change. Their purpose can be as simple as offering a safe space for emotional support or as ambitious as reshaping an entire political system. If you already have a dependable group of people, organizing it around a shared goal can strengthen your efforts. The key is to establish regular meetings that foster trust, accountability, and commitment to a common objective. Your goal might be as straightforward as deepening your relationships, or it could involve reaching out to those with differing perspectives. Disagreement does not make someone an adversary, and a group that embraces diverse viewpoints can become even more resilient and impactful.

SOIL, a collective dedicated to transformative justice, has written an insightful article on pods and the philosophy behind them. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding how these support groups function and why they are so impactful.

Strategy Two: Inform yourself the right way

Reliable, unbiased information is becoming harder to find, making it exhausting to navigate the flood of misinformation and disinformation. Sadly, it is increasingly easy to manipulate people into believing what others want them to think. Throughout history, disinformation has been used as a powerful weapon because it is both effective and easy to deploy. It encompasses many tactics designed to shape perceptions and influence behavior, ranging from sophisticated attacks on factual information to simple falsehoods knowingly spread by individuals. This goes beyond mere lying, since the goal is to control your understanding of reality. Disinformation fosters mistrust, alienates people, and makes it even harder to discern the truth. To counter it, be skeptical of what you hear and take the time to verify facts for yourself. Avoid relying on a single news source since every outlet has its own biases. Instead, seek information from multiple perspectives to form a well-rounded view of the world.

If you’re looking for unbiased news sources, AllSides is a great tool that evaluates media bias and presents multiple perspectives on the same story. Another valuable resource is Tangle, a non-partisan platform that summarizes news from the left, right, and center while offering its analysis. It is free to sign up and also features a podcast. Tangle stands out for its transparency and emphasis on cautious media consumption.

For a more local option, Metro State’s newspaper, The Metropolitan, provides relevant, factual, and unbiased news tailored to the university’s students and staff. A podcast will be launching soon, so be on the lookout.

I hope this information helps you stay informed while maintaining balance in your daily life. Metro State also offers several resources, including counseling services, peer-to-peer support, and a 24/7 helpline at 651-793-1568. Never hesitate to reach out for support, and remember to prioritize self-care during uncertain times.