If you’ve been reading this blog for some time, you know that values are an important part of our business. You should also know that my values don’t need to be your values for me to respect them and help you leverage your voice to live those values.

When it comes to style, that means introducing my community to brands that identify with their values: Some are owned by members of communities that are underfunded and underrepresented in fashion, for example. Or the opportunity that tailoring provides to decrease your carbon footprint and fight climate change, rather than buying something new.

People have been speaking without words through their clothes for generations and it’s important on both an individual and a collective level that we continue to do so. After all, the self-confidence a woman (or any person) feels when wearing clothes that truly feel like they communicate her authentic personal style propels her to speak in the meeting, to take risks in her life, to stand her ground when necessary.

Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, the last few weeks have been chaotic. It’s a time of heightened emotions and frankly, a lot of fear. I’ve had countless conversations with women who care very deeply about what’s happening but truly have no idea what or how to do anything to stop it.

A friend recently said to me, “Didn’t we elect leaders to deal with this? I’m overwhelmed with my own life. Now, I need to do their jobs?”

I hear you. Yes, electeds absolutely need to stand up and do their jobs. And, we need to do ours. But how? Here are a few ideas.

How to Use Your Voice to Stop Project 2025

Let’s be clear, I’m a personal stylist for women, not a political organizer. But, that’s the point. I don’t need to be. Every one of us has the ability (and duty) to hold our elected officials accountable. And you can do it while still living your life.

Just because your elected official is a Democrat doesn’t mean it’s time to opt out. Find what you care about and hold your elected official accountable for their actions — what they do, what they don’t do, how they vote, what they say. It matters. And those choices are influenced by their very own constituents. That means you.

1. Call your elected officials

   I have this conversation with folks all of the time. If you are feeling intimated by calling your state representative or a local leader, that’s totally reasonable. It’s okay. Don’t worry. At any time of the year, and especially right now, they are expecting your call. The person who answers will ask for your name and what you want to share. They’ll discover if you are a constituent (your voice matters more if you are, since you can vote them in or out in the future.) That’s it. They don’t grill you on the issue. They won’t push back on your opinion. You’ll sometimes get a thank you email.

   Why it matters:

   The staff are tracking all calls and documenting how many for or against each specific issue. Calling means you care enough to take the time and it has more impact because so few folks do it.
   
   

2. Find What Works for You

   Logically, this should be number 1 on the list. But, if you are feeling overwhelmed, this is a tough place to start. So, I vote you call your electeds as your first step and if you can do more, read this from Indivisible. It’s a practical guide to stop Project 2025. It’s comprehensive and useful. If you are in the consuming-all-content and/or doomscrolling phase, you’ll love this. If you are in the overwhelmed/hopeless phase, you won’t. BUT, check it out anyway. I suggest you just pick one area that resonates with you and hop to that content. There’s great detailed information about what to do it you have a Democratic elected and different guidance if your rep is Republican, for example. The strategies are different.

   Why it matters:

   The shock and awe strategy is real. The average person can’t possibly track it all and that’s the magic of the plan. When we are distracted by renaming the Gulf of Mexico, we miss the dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the government agency that protects us from predatory lenders, requires credit card companies to show you how much interest you’re paying, and more. It matters.
   
   

3. Join or Start a Group

   Again, I like Indivisible for this, but really, it doesn’t matter. As a group you have an exponential amount of power compared with acting alone as a single voice. It also helps you feel less alone, stay more informed and build community. Intimated by joining a group? I get it. But you’ll never know unless you try. When a group is a chapter of a larger organization, they get guidance from the umbrella organization. So you won’t be figuring it out all on your own. Groups can come together regularly to write postcards to elected officials, send emails, protest or provide other support. Right now, thousands of nonprofit organizations are crumbling because they can’t go without federal funding for even a short period of time. A local group can support a local nonprofit, for example. Coming together makes it easier to find meaningful ways to help.

   Why it matters:

   You’ll build community, amplify your voice and multiply the impact of your efforts.
   
   

4. Write to your Elected Officials

   I love these postcards. They make voicing your concern as easy as possible. They come in a pack and some advocate for voting yes, some for voting no and others thanking the official for their vote. They are great. Just write a few sentences about the issue and drop them in the mail. If email is more of your thing, you can send an electronic message to your elected official, and there are endless petitions to sign in favor or against an issue or policy. Yes, signing a petition matters. In many situations, petitions require a minimum number of signatures to get traction. So sign petitions, send postcards. The more the better.

   Why it matters:

   Legislative staff are tracking the number of constituents who reach out and their point of view on issues. It also matters to you. When you act instead of ruminating or avoiding, it decreases your stress and reminds you of your power. Also, when a movement gets lots of momentum, the media is more likely to cover it.
   
   

5. Stop Doomscrolling and Do Something (ideally with others)

   No judgement. We’ve all done it. Feeling more and more anxious and fearful won’t change our circumstances. Action is the answer. Yes, you can post on social media. If you read this blog, you know that LinkedIn is my only social account, so I’m not the person to guide you through that journey. I can tell you that if you are posting, holding your elected representative accountable is important. And, if you are posting, it’s not enough. So be sure to use your voice in other ways, too.

   Why it matters:

   As I said, taking action decreases stress AND it can make an impact. Doing nothing always yields the same result: nothing. Join together with other folks to stand up for what you believe is right. You don’t need to be perfect or an expert on an issue. Just start with the basics.

   
   

   I think a lot about what our son is taking away from his childhood. What are we teaching him? How do we help him stay compassionate and build resilience for the road ahead? One way is to model that each of us has a voice and it’s important that we use it. There are so many people in the world who would give anything just to have a voice at all. We owe it to them and to ourselves to speak up.

   
   

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