Burying your head in the sand won't save you...but community might.
Navigating the chaos in American Politics
The phrase “burying your head in the sand” comes from the widely held (but incorrect) belief that ostriches, when sensing danger, bury their heads to avoid it.
This myth traces back to Ancient Rome, where observers believed these large, flightless birds would rather pretend a threat didn’t exist than confront it.
Right now, many Americans, particularly those who opposed Donald Trump’s return to power, might feel the urge to do exactly that.
Given the sheer volume of executive actions, policy reversals, and chaos that has marked his first week back in office, it’s understandable. The flurry of activity has been relentless, and it can feel overwhelming.
Unlike the ostrich, we have a choice: We can engage, we can observe, or we can ignore.
Trump’s First Week: A Political Firestorm
For those hoping that a second Trump term might be calmer or more predictable than the first, his first week has you sorely disappointed.
On his first day alone, Trump signed 26 executive orders, more than 10% of the total he issued during his entire first term. He also rescinded 78 of Joe Biden’s executive orders, undoing much of his predecessor’s legacy.
The themes of these actions make it clear where Trump’s priorities lie:
Immigration: Six executive orders targeting asylum seekers, reviving border wall construction, and expanding deportations.
Climate and Energy: Three orders dismantling Biden-era climate policies, greenlighting new oil drilling projects, and withdrawing from international climate agreements.
Federal Government Restructuring: Fourteen executive orders aimed at gutting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across government agencies.
Foreign Policy and Aid: One order halting U.S. foreign aid spending, despite widespread global instability.
What’s missing from this list? The economy.
Despite campaign rhetoric centered on the struggles of middle America—particularly inflation—Trump’s opening policy blitz has focused almost entirely on culture war issues rather than economic relief.
It’s a clear signal that his administration’s priorities lie more in satisfying his base’s ideological demands than addressing economic fundamentals.
For those outside his core support base, these moves are alarming. But what should those who oppose Trump’s agenda actually do for the next four years?
The Next Four Years: Engage, Observe, or Ignore?
For many expats, American politics can feel both deeply personal and impossibly abstract. Whether you’re directly affected by Trump’s policies or just emotionally exhausted by them, there are a few ways to approach the next four years.
1. Engage: Get Organized
If you’re want to push back against Trump’s policies, now is the time to get involved. The Democratic Party is in rebuilding mode, still processing its 2024 defeat and figuring out its next steps. This means there’s an opening for grassroots opposition to take shape.
If you’re politically active, this could mean:
Running for office—even at the local level, there are more things to run for in the US than any country on earth. Dog catcher anyone?
Joining advocacy groups—whether it’s voting rights, climate action, or immigrant support, there are organizations doing important work that are facing existential moments.
The road to the 2026 midterms begins now. Those elections will determine control of Congress for the second half of Trump’s term, and history shows that midterms can dramatically shift the balance of power. If engagement is your path, the work starts today.
But what if you’re burnt out or activism is just not your thing?
2. Observe: Stay Informed Without Burning Out
Maybe you’re not up for jumping into the fight, but you don’t want to be completely disconnected either. That’s valid.
Like it or not, Trump is a content machine. His presidency will be hard to ignore, and the media—both mainstream and social—will churn out a never-ending cycle of headlines, scandals, and outrage.
If you choose to observe, the key is curation:
Choose quality news sources—Don’t get sucked into every viral tweet or sensationalized headline. Think about switching off the daily news feeds and looking at long form content instead.
Set boundaries—Doomscrolling won’t change the world; consuming news intentionally will keep you informed without overwhelming you.
Find reliable voices—Follow journalists and commentators who provide context, not just outrage. Kangaroo Politics anyone?!
Observation is a valid choice. Staying informed without letting it consume your mental health is a balancing act, but it’s not complete disengagement…which brings us to the final option:
3. Ignore: Protect Your Peace (For Now)
For some, the healthiest choice may simply be to tune out—at least for a while. If the 24/7 Trump news cycle feels unbearable, if every headline spikes your anxiety, then it’s okay to step back.
Ignoring doesn’t have to mean ignorance. It can mean prioritizing your well-being, focusing on your personal life, or redirecting your energy toward things that bring you fulfillment.
But here’s the thing: Ignorance can’t be permanent.
At some point, we all have to engage—because even if you stop paying attention to politics, politics doesn’t stop affecting you.
The Power of Community: A Fourth Option
If neither engagement nor detachment feels right, there’s another way: building community.
Rather than consuming the news in isolation—passively reading, doomscrolling, or ranting into the void—consider sharing insights with people around you.
Start a discussion group or book club. Get those WhatsApp groups working for you.
Share reliable, thoughtful news pieces with friends.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and just starting to share is the best we can maybe hope for right now.
It is better than nothing, after all, not even the ostriches really bury their heads in the sand so why should you?
P.S. Running Toward Something Bigger
One of my own coping mechanisms is running— but rather than running in circles with my own thoughts, I’m putting some purpose behind it.
This April, I’ll be running the London Marathon in support of Save the Children, a respected global NGO working to protect the world’s most vulnerable children.
If you’d like to support this cause, I’ll be turning on the paid function for this newsletter in February, with all proceeds going directly to the charity.
Thank you to those who have already pledged their support. And whether you choose to engage, observe, or ignore, know that you’re not alone in navigating the years ahead.
London Marathon Fundraising Page