A Plan for Change: Fighting Back Against Oppression

How I plan to fight against Trumps reign of terror and his billionaire fans

Like many of you, when Trump was re-elected, I felt hopeless—betrayed by those who voted for him, by people who seemed indifferent to my rights, his dark history, and the millions of lives negatively impacted by his regime.

In the face of this hopelessness, I kept asking myself: What can I do? How can I create real change beyond just reposting content, sharing facts on social media, or venting my frustration online? I want to take action that moves the needle.

While I don’t have all the answers, I’m committed to documenting my journey here. My goal is to hit evil corporations where it hurts most: their money and their attention.

Phase 1: Reducing Dependency on Corporations

The first step is financial independence from companies like Amazon, Meta, and others that prioritize profit over people. Here’s my plan:

1. Cancel Amazon Prime.
   Amazon has made us lazy as a society. I’ll start by identifying local stores and small businesses that can meet my needs. I'll create a master sheet to replace every category Amazon offers with ethical alternatives—local stores or small online businesses.

2. Switch from Audible.
   I’ll find alternative audiobook platforms and share a list of options.

3. Move away from Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok.
   Since I work in marketing, this is tricky, but my long-term goal is to phase out clients who rely on these platforms. I’ll focus on growing an audience and attracting clients through alternatives like Substack, Pinterest, Bluesky, and (hopefully) SkySocial.

   • I will also be paying attention to all the big corporations who are not doing right for the people, these are just the beginning.

4. Switch from big banks.
   I’ve already taken steps toward ethical banking by using Ally Bank, but I’m also exploring local credit unions or other alternatives to move my business accounts. Aligning my finances with institutions that prioritize transparency and community is a critical step in reducing dependency on major corporations and hitting these billionaires where it hurts.

Phase 2: Supporting Small Businesses & Ethical Spending

My next focus is to actively cheer on small businesses and align my spending with companies doing good in the world, like Ben & Jerry’s and Mark Cuban’s ventures. Supporting ethical businesses isn’t just a moral choice—it’s a powerful form of protest.

Phase 3: Strengthening Ourselves for the Fight

This is a long battle, and we need to be at our best—physically, mentally, spiritually, and financially—while staying informed and organizing beyond social media. Here’s how I’m preparing:

1. Prioritizing health.
   Physical stamina, mental clarity, and spiritual grounding are essential for sustained activism. Here’s what I’m focusing on:

   • Making time for therapy, yoga, movement, and journaling.

   • Eating whole foods, drinking plenty of water, incorporating high-protein meals, and restful sleep.

   • Locking in a solid daily routine. This isn’t the time for bad habits or drowning in our sorrows. Instead, we focus on getting better every day.

2. Staying informed and voting at every opportunity.
   Voting isn’t just about midterms and presidential elections; it’s about every local election. I’m committing to educating myself on these opportunities and sharing resources for my county and state elections. Imagine if we all voted in local elections—public officials who actually care about democracy could reshape our communities.

3. Improving financial literacy and security.
   Now is the time to educate ourselves on finances: saving more, getting out of debt, and investing wisely. I know this isn’t easy, and I’m right there with you. But the more we save and secure our finances, the better equipped we are to donate to the right causes, feel safer if something goes wrong, and remain resilient in the fight ahead.

4. Joining marches.
   While organizing online is important, showing up in person sends a louder message. I’ll be researching and attending as many marches as possible because collective action has power.

5. Creating an exit plan.
   While I’m not saying things will go sideways, it’s always smart to have a plan to leave the country if needed. Nick and I have dreamed of having two homes—one in the States and one closer to Asia—and these events have solidified the importance of having a backup plan. Here’s where to start:

   • Update your passport.

   • Research working visas, student visas, expat visas, or other residency options in different countries.

   • Explore places where you can envision building a safe and fulfilling life.

   Having lived abroad for three years in my 20s, I can confidently say the world is full of beautiful places and kind people ready to help. Don’t be afraid to explore your options and get out there if needed.

Phase 4: Addressing Systemic Issues

Some changes are bigger than any one person, but we can still make a difference by focusing on:

1. Ending corporate lobbying in politics. It’s outrageous that companies can buy influence in government.

2. Advocating for independent technology. We need alternatives to Google, iPhones, and Big Tech’s monopolies. A smartphone free from their influence could be revolutionary.

• I definitely don’t have the answer to these yet but I hope this can spark a conversation and great things from the first step of awareness.

Phase 5: Building a Sustainable Future

To become truly independent, I’m exploring ways to:

• Live off the land. Learning about gardening, solar power, and clean water is a step toward reducing reliance on major corporations.

• Reduce waste. Producing less waste and supporting climate-change initiatives are critical parts of this fight.

• Build additional income streams. This includes learning how to generate extra income from something you’re passionate about. Whether it’s starting a small business or exploring creative projects, this step is about becoming less reliant on corporate jobs for your livelihood.

Phase 6: Staying Hopeful and Joyful

This is a lot … I know and while it’s easy to get overwhelmed or burnt out, staying hopeful and joyful is essential. This isn’t just about fighting—it’s about living and thriving. Here’s how we can do that:

1. Focus on the good. Celebrate small victories, whether it’s supporting a local business, attending a march, or simply having a meaningful conversation. Progress is built step by step.

2. Connect with the community. Surround yourself with like-minded people who share your values. Together, we can uplift and inspire each other.

3. Embrace joy in everyday life. Prioritize activities that bring you happiness, whether it’s listening to music, spending time in nature, meditating, or laughing with friends and family. Joy is an act of resistance.

4. Deepen your spirituality. Stay connected to your higher self, god, and the universe. Let your faith ground you while avoiding spiritual bypassing—acknowledge the pain but choose to keep moving forward.

5. Practice gratitude. Even in the hardest moments, find things to be thankful for. Gratitude is a powerful tool for resilience and perspective.

Refusing Complacency

This is only the beginning. There’s so much more to learn and do, and I’ll keep adding to this list as I learn more. My ultimate goal is to create a better future for the next generation—a future where they have more rights, not fewer.

I refuse to be silent, too busy, or apathetic.

Together, we can create real change. I hope this helps give someone direction on what to do now, I know writing this out really helped me get clearer on an action plan!