Not quite a year ago, which seems like a decade, I started a journey I didn’t know I needed. One to look truth in the face and cut ties with individuals that claimed to be friends but have chosen time and again to go against what I see as moral humanity.

In addition to leaving friendships, I shed the doom scrolling and social media interactions of corporate oligarch owned applications. I do miss Instagram a little and it’s only been since the black out week of black Friday that I uninstalled myself.

Speaking of blackouts. I have successfully not made a single purchase at Target since their rollback of DEI. If you knew me you’d understand that this alone is HUGE. Since 1998 I have had a major grudge with Wal Mart calling it my store of last resort, shopping exclusively at Target since that time. When we considered moving from CA to MT in early 2000’s I said I could do it as long as there was a Costco and a Target. The store opened the year we moved to the area we still live. Trust me when I say this was by far the hardest long term blackout I’ve done with the largest impact on my shopping habits.

Unfortunately because of our remote off grid lifestyle and rebuilding/refurbishing a very neglected cabin our reliance on Starlink for work and Amazon for some items are necessary and I probably berate myself more than anyone else could. However the trip to town in a pickup that gets 13 miles a gallon on a 60 mile dirt road is another cost that often makes the Amazon purchase a better deal. Plus unless I can find the same product for a similar price at the few hardware stores that aren’t the dreaded Home Depot, we are definitely not buying Amazon for the delivery convenience since mail is delivered 2 times a week, FedEx ground 2-3 days a week, with Fed Ex overnight and UPS almost daily.

While I wish I could find alternatives for the two items I’ve not given up this year, the amount of stress I feel has lightened as well. Despite the uncertainty and the daily barrage of the chaos in the peoples house, I’ve found comfort, bravery and truth in the independent media I’ve chosen to follow. Every one of your voices gives me hope or a laugh when I need it.

I am reminded daily that intelligence is practiced. I follow up on items of interest by looking through notes of writers and creators. If someone read an article that prompted their story I may read it too. I’ve definitely improved my world view and my history knowledge in the past year.

Lastly I did the impossible. We celebrated a non-consumer Christmas. Growing up my dad was Santa. That charming 19 year old that had fun giving toys to kids by 50 had a snow white beard and had already been Santa for 30 years owning his own rabbit fur trimmed suit and boots. Also coming of age in the consumer driven 80’s where each Christmas was an over abundance of the previous neither my husband or I had ever been without a fully wrapped Christmas. So with our kids grown, only 1 returning home for the holidays, we chose to forgo gift giving. Donations to food banks were made instead of gifts or a big meal. We spent time together watching movies we own and remembering old Christmas’. Our grandkids, 3 and 5, received gently used toys that once belonged to their parent and Aunt. Overall less stress and more time together.

Looking ahead into 2026. Right now the ‘Eye of the Clusterfuck’ is still appropriate. But just like last year, the resistance will continue gathering and growing. Let us hope, pray or whatever is necessary for you personally, that the stupid government that believes it is in charge doesn’t get us all nuked.