Since January, the social change sector has been shrinking.

It started with executive orders that immediately pulled funding and created deep uncertainty. And when things feel uncertain, organizations - understandably - start protecting their resources.

Projects get delayed or cancelled. People pause on trying new things. They wait to see what’s next.

Right now, every industry is feeling the weight of unpredictability.

At first, I thought this was just happening in marketing and communications. But after talking to other agency and business owners, I’ve realized: it’s everywhere.

Chaos is a strategy. We’ve seen it before. Think about the Trump administration’s first day in office - executive orders flying, confusion, and panic rippling through entire communities. It wasn’t accidental. It was intentional. It was designed to create instability and keep people scrambling. But recognizing that chaos is a strategy isn’t enough. The real question is: What is our counter-strategy?

In the time between writing and sending this, there’s no doubt that a lot will have happened in the world. 

The news is coming in so fast, it can feel like we’re swimming in a current of chaos. There’s real fear over how people are being affected, and it’s a tough state to exist in.

And while some of us dive into the details, trying to consume everything and be part of the fight, others seek moments of joy as a form of resistance. And then there are those who just need to detach and process in their own way. They’re all valid responses. For me, I often cycle through all three in one day.

We’ve all heard of fears with clinical names—arachnophobia, claustrophobia, and so many others. But what about our hopes? Why don’t they have names?

This thought struck me recently, and I realized that naming something —whether a fear or a hope— gives it power. It makes it tangible, something we can focus on and nurture. At Javelina (the branding and marketing agency I run that serves those driving social change), we name important projects to signal their significance not only for the team but for myself. Many of us name our cars or even our plants (though I stopped naming mine after too many didn’t survive—it prevented me from getting attached!).

It stands to reason that naming our hopes gives them more power and influence.

At the end of the year, one of my core values shows up for me in a big way: learning. Every December, I dive into a favorite ritual—reviewing the year, reflecting on what I’ve learned, and planning for what’s next. It’s honestly one of my favorite things to do! But it’s not just about the fun of it—there’s real value in the incredible clarity it gives me. Taking stock helps me not only figure out what I want to do differently but also celebrate what’s already been accomplished.

Looking at 2024 from the changemaker’s perspective, it feels…well, let's say it's complicated. The outcome of the 2024 election was devastating for many, and the effects will ripple far beyond this year. For some, it’s still too fresh to even think about what we can learn from it and the thought of moving forward can feel overwhelming.

Last week’s election result stirred up a range of emotions, and however you're feeling right now is valid. For some, a setback can bring renewed motivation - a chance to reflect on what matters most, evaluate personal values, and consider the people and causes we choose to support. For others, the weight of disappointment can feel crushingly discouraging, making it hard to see a way forward. 

When it comes to creating change in the world, there are countless obstacles. Some of these challenges, though difficult, are ultimately solvable. Passing legislation to address a harmful policy, restructuring a team to better leverage everyone’s strengths, or meeting an ambitious fundraising goal  - all are demanding and non-linear paths, but they’re within reach with effort and dedication.

We all know how opposites work: up vs. down, awake vs. asleep, left vs right. We solve simple problems all day, every day by leaning into opposites:

• Opening a closed door to let the air in

• Tidying an untidy room to declutter our space

• Turning a blasting TV off to reduce the noise

But sometimes in life - and in social change - there is incredible power in what I have come to think of as unexpected opposites: a contrasting thing or idea that is unconventional or surprising in some way.

Phew, life can be a rollercoaster, can’t it? Between navigating personal challenges, managing work stress, and just trying to keep it all together, it’s easy to feel like you’re one twist away from throwing your hands up. I heard recently that one of the most vital skills we can develop as we grow older is resilience - and I got kind of obsessed with the idea. For a while, I put pressure on myself to never feel a thing. To let things bounce off me like Teflon.  

But here’s the thing: resilience isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about finding new ways to move forward, even when the ride gets bumpy.

I wrote and published this blog post when I first became CEO of Javelina in 2017. It is just as personal and relevant today, though I’ve certainly changed a lot since I wrote this. In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing an update on Catherine the Good Girl, and how I’ve reclaimed the reins of control from her hands. 

I am eight, maybe nine, sitting in the back seat of the car with my younger brother. My nana and my mum are in the front. Alex and I are squabbling about something insignificant. Nana twists in her seat and says sharply: “Catherine, if you fight with your brother, he won’t talk to you when you’re older. Be quiet. Be good.”