OPINION: Hope and change

A feeling of renewal seems to be in the air this time of year. We reflect on what we want to leave behind and imagine what we want to change. Politically, that list can feel long — sometimes impossibly long. As Democrats, we are often asked why we aren’t doing more, especially as Trump runs roughshod over norms and values many of us once assumed were shared and secure. The frustration is understandable, and deeply felt.

We all love a good story about effort. The late nights. The big push. The heroics and danger that people face head on in the fight for our values. These moments matter. They inspire us, rally us, and sometimes change the course of history. It feels comforting to believe that if we just try hard enough — if we pour in enough energy all at once and make headlines — everything will shift in the way we hope.

But research, experience, and history tell a quieter, more useful story about political change: consistency outperforms bursts of effort every time.

Psychologists who study habit formation and long-term behavior change have found that lasting impact rarely comes from dramatic one-time actions. Instead, it comes from small behaviors repeated steadily over time. When actions are consistent, they become habits. When they become habits, they no longer rely on constant motivation or outrage to sustain them. This matters deeply in political work, where burnout is common and progress can feel painfully slow.

Political change is a long relay, passed from neighbor to neighbor, year after year. Intensity alone burns people out. People working consistently together builds movements.

So instead of asking, “Why aren’t Democrats doing more?” a better question might be: What is one small thing you can do consistently? Not for a week. Not for an election cycle. But for a year. 

Pick just one of the following and commit to it:

• If your goal is to create a world where dignity is a shared community value, find a way to serve weekly in your community — and invite others to join you.

• Dedicate just 15 minutes per week to phone banking with us.

• Write one letter per week, or make one short phone call, to your elected representative. Briefly share a political value that matters to you.

• Find a candidate or cause you care about and donate a recurring $5 per month. It truly makes a difference.

• Spend 20 minutes per week learning about a political opinion different from your own. This doesn’t weaken your beliefs — it strengthens your ability to effectively talk about politics.

• Spend one hour per month knocking on doors with us.

None of these actions are flashy. None will go viral. But each one, done consistently by thousands of Kootenai County locals, builds something far more powerful than a single moment of outrage ever could.

We’ve all lived through enough New Year’s resolutions to know the pattern. Hope bursts into January full of energy and good intentions. Then life gets busy. Or discouragement creeps in. Or we burn out trying to do everything at once. That’s not a personal failure — it’s a structural one. Big goals need small, sustainable systems.

If you want to change the world, start by changing one small, seemingly insignificant thing — and stick with it.

Imagine millions of people making one small political commitment and keeping it. One call. One letter. One conversation. One act of service. Over time, those actions compound. They reshape communities. They build power. They create the conditions for real hope and real change.

So this new year, don’t resolve to do everything. Resolve to do one thing well, consistently. When you are ready, reach out to [email protected]. Together, we are building a more perfect union. 

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Sarah Martin is chairman of the Kootenai County Democrats.