There’s a moment, quiet, almost imperceptible, when outrage turns into exhaustion. When the daily churn of violence, arrogance, and political theatre stops shocking us and starts feeling like background noise. That moment is dangerous. Because it’s not resilience. It’s numbness.

I’ve been watching the slow creep of civic decay for years. At first, you argue. You try to reason. You engage in good faith. Then you start to pick your battles. Then you stop picking altogether. Not because you’ve given up, but because you’ve learned that some arguments aren’t worth the emotional toll.

But here’s the catch: while we’re retreating to preserve our sanity, the bullies are advancing. Loud, bombastic, and unrelenting. They mistake silence for surrender. They weaponize confrontation. They call it strength. And they leave a trail of broken systems and broken lives in their wake.

I’m tired of pretending this is normal.

I’m tired of watching right-wing aggression masquerade as patriotism, while communities fracture under the weight of fear and misinformation. I’m tired of seeing violence justified, democracy undermined, and empathy dismissed as weakness.

This isn’t about party politics. It’s about behavior. It’s about a culture that rewards brute force over thoughtful dialogue. That elevates arrogance over accountability. That treats governance like a game of dominance rather than a duty of care.

And yes, I’ve lost patience. Because I’ve seen what happens when we keep waiting for the next shock to wake us up. We become anesthetized. We stop flinching. We stop resisting. And that’s exactly what those who thrive on chaos count on.

But I haven’t gone numb. Not yet.

I still believe in community. In clarity. In platforms that invite connection instead of conflict. I still believe in the power of storytelling to cut through the noise and remind us what’s worth fighting for.

So this is me, refusing to retreat. Refusing to let the loudest voices drown out the wisest ones. Refusing to let democracy be defined by those who treat it like a weapon.

We don’t need more noise. We need more nerve.

And I’ve got plenty left.