After going through all the emotions several times over the past couple of weeks, I’m left feeling mostly angry and motivated.

The nefarious role that social media played in the election is undeniable. Thousands of people surround us, yet social media feels isolating and dangerous, as hate-filled opinions are amplified—these platforms are not uniting people. I’ve been pulling away from most of them for years as a result, with Mastodon being one of the few exceptions. So for the past decade, I’ve further established my working and personal life online, yet there are seemingly fewer and fewer safe, genuine spaces to connect with others.

Well-organized, thoughtful, and intentional communities are consistently the exception here and the only thing that enables a healthy remote work lifestyle for me—something precious that provides hope in a time that can easily feel doomed. What the internet we originally fell in love with mostly felt like. You get to interact with people in a small, more intimate setting, connecting with real individuals that you get to know more each day through small quirky insights. You hear about their families, their hobbies, compare what everyone had for lunch. You get to know people beyond their highlight reel—that’s what builds genuine, lasting relationships. That’s what reinforces you are talking to humans and not just avatars.

While I am no stranger to retreating from the world in terrible times, I’m set on doing exactly the opposite this time. I want to fight for what is right and necessary. I’ve mapped out my remaining Wiggle Work priorities for the year and already have some 2025 events I’m looking forward to. I’ve also joined a lovely space for community builders called The Hive, where I’m eager to meet folks doing similar work and learn as much from them as possible. And finally, I am looking to move offline a bit as well and reached out to the incoming Delaware governor, Matt Meyer, about volunteer opportunities.

I am really looking forward to being all-in on a few crucial spaces and bringing others along on the journey.