How Movements work.  You will get tired. KEEP GOING

History is a Weapon -  Bill Moyer

The Movement Action Plan:
A Strategic Framework Describing The 
Eight Stages of Successful Social Movements

...But people are powerful. Power ultimately resides with the populace. History is full of examples of an inspired citizenry involved in social movements that achieve social and political changes—even topple tyrannical governments. Powerholders know this. They know that their power depends on the support or acquiescence of the mass population

It Will FEEL Futile... 

 An excellent reminder from long-time activist Mary Catherine Kimrey:
In case you're new to activism:
This whole resistance thing is going to start to feel futile. You're energized right now, emboldened and empowered. In 3 months, 6 months, 2 years, you're going to wonder if anything you're doing is working. You're going to feel like throwing up your hands.
The reason you're going to feel this way is that progress is often slow and we are going to lose...a lot. We aren't going to lose all the time and we're going to win some things. But we are going to lose...a lot. Also, outrage fatigue is real and you're getting ready to feel it, bigly.
The point of contacting our legislators on a regular basis is, first and foremost, to develop good civic habits ourselves and encourage them in others. Many times, we'll find the results we want aren't always the results we get in the end but we need to keep calling anyway because:

1. 1. We are letting our lawmakers know we are watching and if we don't like what we see, we are coming for their jobs.
2. 2. We need to get our lawmakers on record, making statements about their positions and votes, and if we don't like what we see, we use that in talking to voters when we come for their jobs. 
3. 3. We need to get others used to hopping on the phones and relating information so they can help us come for their jobs.
4. When you show up at meetings, it's going to feel sometimes like you just walked into one of those churches where they do things their way because it's what they've always done and you're watching paint dry while you feel distinctly like an outsider as simultaneously people shake your hand and welcome you. When you can, show up anyway. If you can't, keep up with what's happening.

You might lose races in your local and state government. Keep working anyway. We might lose mid terms. We CAN win locally and nationally but first and foremost we have to focus on increasing our voter turnout from the bottom up no matter what. This is done through campaigns. Pick one, work, and you'll help the rest in the process.
The point here is sustainability. If you registered over 1,000 voters by yourself in the last election (you know who you are 💣), those people can vote in the next one and if they registered Democrat, those people are now in a database to get canvassed and phone banked in the next one. Then we just get 10 out of those 1000 to work, we get can get 1000 more and you see where this goes.
So in the interest of sustainability, here are some tips: 

1. 1. Don't get bogged down with every bill that's in committee, unless it's your rep who introduced it. Yes watch, pay attention, but save your energy for when/what it's most needed.
2. 2. Pick your issues. Hammer them over and over and over again. Don't spread yourself too thin. 
3. 3. Don't discount your own effort. If you register over 1000 voters or if you register 10, that's voters and potential Democrat voters. If you call 5000 people or if you call 50, that's voters. If you canvass 10 neighborhoods or 1, that's voters. If you donate $1000 or $10, that's money that helps get votes.

From the ground up, from the bottom up. One step at a time. One action at a time. One campaign at a time.