When I shared my plan to spend a year improving my personality, many friends were concerned. They felt I should focus on societal change instead, with one friend specifically advocating for fighting the patriarchy as the root cause of our issues.
While I agree the patriarchy is detrimental and, along with other problems, seems increasingly prevalent, I still believe in prioritizing self-improvement. Despite urgent issues like climate change, authoritarianism, inequality, and reproductive rights erosion, it’s still a good time to change yourself, even when the world feels chaotic.
My pursuit of personality change stemmed from research indicating it can boost happiness. People with traits like conscientiousness, extraversion, and emotional stability tend to be more fulfilled.
The reality is that we have more control over our lives and behaviors than over political decisions. While political involvement is good, frustrations are likely to continue. My meditation teacher often said, “Things happen that you don’t like.”
This isn’t the first time global issues have made inaction tempting. The idea that functioning “under capitalism” is impossible gained traction a few years ago. However, as writer Clare Coffey noted, dismantling capitalism requires more discipline, courage, endurance, and capability, not less.
The same applies to resisting Trumpism now. Changing your response to adversity can improve your life and enhance your effectiveness when addressing systemic change.
Living through tariffs, deportations, and government layoffs causes anxiety, but changing your reaction to these stressors can reduce anxiety and improve adaptation. Techniques for reducing neuroticism include realistic threat assessment, appreciating the good in life, and acknowledging positive possibilities. These mindset shifts can ease anxiety and enable action.
What actions might you take? Perhaps a laid-off federal worker will seek a job in a new industry. Maybe you’ll call representatives, protest peacefully, or organize locally. However, these steps require mental health and fortitude.
Research consistently shows that happier, less anxious people excel in their endeavors. A 2021 study following nearly a million U.S. Army soldiers for five years found that the happiest soldiers received four times as many performance or heroism awards as the unhappiest, even after accounting for demographics. Their well-being made them more effective.
Those opposing Trump face a long four years. We can’t fight for change if we’re falling apart. Now is the time to strengthen inner resolve and outer determination. Psychological research links agency—the belief in creating a positive impact—to reduced depression and anxiety. Positive psychology pioneer Martin Seligman stated that “Agency causes progress,” while “lack of agency causes stagnation.” Agency provides the sense that you can address your problems.
I experienced the power of agency during my personality experiment. As I became more comfortable with activities like improv, I feared them less and even enjoyed them. Work assignments involving public speaking or performance became less intimidating. I began to believe I could handle most things. This confidence and hope led me to finally try for a baby after years of indecision (and I succeeded). While I wished for a perfect world, I gave him this one instead.
Things we dislike will happen, but we can still live in a way we do like and address what we find most important. Gandhi arguably said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” His closest statement was, “As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him… We need not wait to see what others do.” Those seeking self-improvement need not wait for a better world.
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