Finding Center When Systems Are Activated
A Note on Collective Regulation
It’s been… a time. I made a video this morning about our immediate need for nervous system regulation. But I want to expand on why this matters so much right now both for individuals and for the systems we belong to.
The Individual Experience
Last night, I was frozen. This morning, I woke up in fight mode. This oscillation between shutdown and activation is exactly how our nervous systems respond to sustained stress. Both states are normal. Neither will serve us well right now.
The Systems Impact
What we're experiencing isn't just personal - it's systemic. When large portions of a system are dysregulated:
Fear and reactivity spread like contagion
Historical trauma gets reactivated
Polarization deepens
Connection across differences becomes harder
Our capacity for collective wisdom diminishes
The system becomes more rigid, less adaptable
We will see this playing out in our:
Families
Workplaces
Communities
Social networks
Broader society
What Actually Helps
The instinct in times like these is to:
Try to fix or change others
Push for immediate action
Seek control through increased structure
Stay stuck in our silos of safety
But what we actually need is simpler and harder: We need to feel out feelings first and regulate our own nervous systems second. Not because individual regulation alone will fix systemic challenges, but because it's the foundation for everything else that needs to happen.
Why This Matters
We are part of living, interconnected systems. Each dysregulated person affects the whole. But each person who finds their way back to center creates the possibility for systemic healing.
Starting Points
Notice your state (activated, frozen, or somewhere in between)
Focus on your breath
Ground in your body
Remember: You've navigated hard things before
What's Next
We'll talk about collective resilience and systemic change. I’ll share toolkits and resources to help you make it real for yourselves. But now, today, your only job is to be gentle with yourself and practice finding your way back to center.
Remember: Your regulation matters - not just for you, but for our collective ability to move forward together.
