Photo by Opheli Garcia Lawler

The political climate since the election has caused frustration for a great number of people. It’s also been a catalyst to rethink political involvement as a whole.

Let’s get this out of the way: nobody is a perfect activist. But learning to grow and improve your involvement is a crucial aspect of activism. Here are some straightforward ways to do just that:

Start by being informed.

Know your representatives. The House has this online feature to help you figure out who they are. Typing in your zip code gives you a map of your district and a sidebar with your representative and their political party. From there, you can go to their website. Learn about their political stances, which are usually readily available. Typically, representative sites also list which House committees they serve on, recent votes, and easily accessible contact info.

Follow news organizations. Lots of them. For breaking news, most outlets have apps that can send you live updates. CNN and the BBC app are typically a solid duo — both are known for their legitimacy and an international organization is always an interesting take. If you want to save phone storage, Apple has a news app that you can shape to fit your specific preferences.

For more detailed news stories, Twitter is usually the most straightforward way to follow up. Follow a variety of sites to get a wider understanding of a story. The New York Times has a paywall but offers 10 free articles per month. ProPublica is a nonprofit news organization, which, as its website explains, “produces investigative journalism in the public interest.” The Guardian is another international paper, and although a lot of coverage is UK-specific, it typically takes on a different narrative of US news than American-centric outlets. Pick a few and read them regularly

Now, get involved.

Call your representatives. You know who they are now. Worried about a bill being introduced in the House? Have an opinion about one of the proposed cabinet picks? The website 5 Calls helps you figure out who to call, depending on your location and the specific issues. If, like me, the idea of speaking to strangers on the phone makes you feel nauseous, they also provide scripts for what to say.

Battery Park Protest against Trump’s Muslim Ban

Go to protests. Even if you’re not directly affected. Especially if you’re not directly affected. Protests are an important way of speaking out about current issues. Even if you don’t feel directly affected by a particular current event, understand its significance on those around you. If you attended the Women’s March, that’s wonderful! Now learn about other protests concerning issues such as the immigration ban, LGBT rights, and the Black Lives Matter movement. If you’re in the New York City area, you can use ResistX, a service created by two NYU students, to keep up-to-date with those in the area.

When you go to a protest, make sure to be prepared. Protests can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect.

Here’s a quick rundown:

· Bring a sign if you want! Or don’t. You don’t have to be crafty, it's just important that you’re there

· Expect speakers at larger protests –– also expect not to be able to see them. Pay attention anyways

· Don’t rely on public transportation directly to or from the event –– subway service is occasionally disrupted if there’s overcrowding in the area. You may have to walk a few blocks before you can catch a ride

· Go with someone you know — try to stick together. Have a plan on where to meet if you’re separated

· Charge your phone beforehand — this one’s self-explanatory

· Wear shoes you can walk in –– and stand in. Activism doesn’t guarantee seating, people!

· Dress for the weather –– gloves and a jacket are especially important in colder weather

· Bring water and a snack or two –– dehydration or low-blood sugar can hit you hard

Solidarity is important, but so is your well-being.

One more resource to continue your engagement: My Civic Workout. It’s designed, as stated on the website “to help those feeling overwhelmed, daunted, and disheartened to engage in meaningful civic activism.” By subscribing to their emailing list, you’ll receive emails approximately twice a week with a 5, 10 or 30 minute “civic workout” — usually a task or item to read relevant to the events of the week.

It’s important to note that activism is not about checking off boxes. Political engagement is ongoing, and the climate is constantly shifting. Recognizing your place — and any inherent privileges you possess — is crucial. This article is only intended to be the first step. Keep learning.