“I believe your reality is what you make it, what you choose to see, and what you choose to allow yourself to do. There are possibilities all around you—magic all around you—no matter what situation you’re in.” — Keke Palmer
You open your phone for a quick scroll or turn on the news and brace for impact:
First headline: we’re back on the moon…hmmm okay.
You blink.
Next headline: the current inhabitant of the White House just shared an aggressive, threatening post aimed at another country. The kind of rhetoric that has people raising real concerns about escalating global tensions.
You pause a little longer on that one. Then it keeps going.
Another alert: more shakeups and firings among political leadership.
Another: gas prices ticking up again. Groceries still high.
…Oh, and aliens? (We’re not sure how to feel about that one either.)
Catch your breath. Then your mom calls.
“Did you see this??” she asks…and it’s a Facebook video that looks almost real. But something’s off. It’s one of those AI-generated clips that’s been making the rounds—convincing enough to spread, confusing enough to question.
And that’s the thing. Right now, it’s not just the headlines. It’s how they’re showing up. Real news, speculation, misinformation, and AI content all mixed together in one endless feed.
It’s all hard to process and digest. But underneath it all, real life is still happening.
People are still figuring out how to pay bills, show up to work, care for their families, and take care of themselves—all while the world feels like it’s moving at full speed.
So if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or just tired of it all, you’re not alone. Let this be your moment to pause. Take a breath, unclench your jaw, and drop your shoulders.
You don’t have to absorb everything in one sitting. You don’t have to react to every update as it happens. And you don’t have to hold the weight of the world just because it showed up on your timeline.
Staying informed matters, but so does protecting your peace.
At 1M4, we believe in responding with intention. That means slowing down when everything feels urgent, staying grounded when things feel uncertain, and leaning on each other when it’s all too much.
Today, take what you need, and leave what you don’t. We call this the fishbone theory. Eat the meat (what’s useful) and throw out the bones (what’s not serving or good for you).
The headlines will keep coming. But you get to choose how you meet them.
Let us know in the comments if you’re feeling triggered or anxious about what you’re hearing and seeing in the news.
And if you or a loved one needs support, click the button below for our directory of resources.💛
Your Sistas Through It All,
The Ladies of 1M4
A mental health tip for you
Try the 3–3–3 Reset the next time you feel anxious or overwhelmed.
Name 3 things you can see
Notice 3 things you can hear
Take 3 slow, deep breaths
It sounds small, but it helps bring your nervous system out of that constant “alert” mode and back into the present moment, where you’re safe, grounded, and in control. You can even pair it with a line like “Not everything happening in the world is happening to you in this moment.”
Just a reminder that we’re celebrating National Poetry Month, so if you’ve got a piece you’d like to share, we’d love to feature your poetry! Send us your work by emailing info@1M4.org to be featured across our social channels.
And if you’re looking for additional support, explore our 1M4 Black Mental Wellness Resource Guide for trusted tools and support resources to help you care for your mental well-being.
Spread Some Blessings!
The consequences of police violence extend far beyond the loss of life. For families affected, it’s the loss of income, the sacrifice of basic necessities, and the start of a high-cost legal fight. If you have the capacity, consider donating to 1M4. Proceeds help support impacted families and sustain the work of 1M4 toward ending police violence for good.
To make sure our community has the tools to stay safe and support each other, our Founder, Tansy, holds weekly office hours to answer questions and walk members through 1M4’s safety resources.
No registration needed. Just join 1M4 via the button below, then hop into our online convos at 12 PM ET every Tuesday.
Got a pressing question? Send an email to info@1m4.org, and we’ll get back to you before the next session.
Ok so… we’re on TikTok now! Follow, engage, and rep 1M4 over there. We’re doing our best to reach the people.
Help some Sistas out!
You Got Your 1M4 Merch Yet?
Visit the 1M4 merch store to make sure you’re representing at court support, protests, or in line at your favorite coffee spot. We want to see YOU in your 1M4 gear. Every purchase goes directly to funding the work of 1M4 increasing access to safety and wellness.
