How to Maintain Grit and Determination During This National Crisis—Even When the Setbacks Are Big

Resilience Isn’t Luck—It’s What You Do Next

How to Maintain Grit and Determination During This National Crisis—Even When the Setbacks Are Big

Resilience Isn’t Luck—It’s What You Do Next

The Jack Hopkins Now Newsletter #434: Saturday, July 19th, 2025

I’m going to start your weekend is an interesting and useful way. Let me tell you the truth most people won’t:

This is going to get worse before it gets better.

Trump’s movement isn’t just some passing storm you can wait out with popcorn and passive optimism. It’s a slow-moving fire that burns out the hopeful first. You want to survive this? You want to make a dent in what’s coming?

You’re going to need grit.

And not the kind that shows up when the path is clear and the lights are on.

I’m talking about the kind that crawls through the dark. The kind that picks up the phone…writes the check…shows up to vote…organizes the neighbors…even after the last attempt failed. The kind of grit that understands something most people don’t:

You can lose some rounds and still win the war.

Let’s talk about what that looks like in real time…right now…when it feels like everything is either burning…corrupted…or headed for a cliff.

Section 1: Understand What You’re Up Against—And Why It’s Harder Than You Think

Most people aren’t cowards—they’re confused. They’re not lazy—they’re exhausted. That’s the genius of Trump’s authoritarian playbook: it doesn’t just attack institutions. It attacks your faith in them.

It’s meant to make you feel small. Like it’s all rigged. Like your effort is meaningless.

And that’s the first lie grit has to spit on.

You can’t fight effectively if you’re still hoping it’s going to be easy. You’ve got to bury that fantasy six feet deep. This isn’t about clean wins. It’s about bloodied knuckles and unbroken will. And once you realize that…something incredible happens:

You stop expecting the storm to pass… and you learn to stand in it.

Section 2: Setbacks Aren’t the End. They’re the Signal You’re Getting Close.

Grit isn’t about never falling. It’s about what happens after you hit the ground.

Every movement that’s ever mattered—civil rights…labor…voting rights…LGBTQ equality—hit walls…setbacks…betrayals. They were told “You’re losing.” “It’s not working.” “You’ll never beat the system.”

Sound familiar?

Trump’s goal is to make resistance feel futile. That’s why his machine pushes chaos. Indictments. Scandals. Delays. He wants you disoriented. Distracted. Demoralized.

But you know what setbacks really are?

They’re the sign that what you’re doing matters. That you’re stepping on the right toes. That you're making noise that can’t be ignored.

Section 3: Grit Means Choosing Action Over Doomscrolling

It’s easy to fall into despair. That’s why you need rituals. Not just hope…but habit.

Call one rep every morning. Send one donation every Friday. Have one hard conversation with someone still on the fence.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up…again…and again…and again…until the weight starts to shift.

And when it gets too heavy to carry?

You don’t put it down. You share it.

Section 4: You’re Not Supposed to Do This Alone

Grit isn’t isolation. It’s connection under pressure.

Find your people. Plug into your causes. Show up for your neighbors. The truth is… courage is contagious.

You see someone speak up at a school board meeting? You’re more likely to write that letter. You see a 78-year-old woman knock on doors? You stop saying you’re too tired.

Don’t let Trump’s chaos make you forget: community is your armor.

Section 5: The Big Hits Will Come—But You’ll Still Be Standing

You will lose some fights.

There will be nights when a court caves…a news cycle breaks wrong…or a friend you thought was with you… isn’t.

But you are not your worst day. You are not that headline. You are the sum total of how you show up—especially when it hurts.

And the people hoping you'll break? They don’t have half your staying power.

Section 6: The Future Is Not Decided Yet—But You Are

Trump wants you reactive. Tired. Doubting yourself.

You? You’re learning to respond…not react. To anchor into what matters. To resist despair the way your ancestors resisted oppression…with faith…fire…and a refusal to back down.

History isn’t made by people who had it easy. It’s made by the ones who didn’t quit when quitting made sense.

And if you’re still here…reading this? You’re one of them.

I enjoy writing content that helps you stay focused…your attitude rock solid…and that help keep your resilience tougher than the hide of a shark.

You have no idea how much I enjoy doing this. I know it’s part of a strategy to preserve democracy. I know that focused, energized people save things: lives, jobs, and many other things.

If you’ve read previous newsletters I’ve written, and you just finished reading this one…you know that, too.

I’m feeling a power surge making my body dance from the inside. You might be feeling that same thing…or something similar. If so, dive in…bathe in it. It’s good stuff.

I’ll be back soon…because I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m committed to squeezing the most I can…out of what I have to offer…and we all…have something to offer.

Warmly,

-Jack

P.S. Listen—if you’re still here…reading this far…I know what kind of person you are. You’re one of the few who haven’t given up. That means you’re valuable.

It means you’re dangerous… to the people who are hoping you do give up. Stick around. We’re just getting started. The following newsletter is for paid subscribers and will take you on a deep dive…into a fascinating topic. Don't miss it.