Creating Lasting Change: How to Start, Even When Everything Feels Broken
I’ve been talking more openly about my desire for wealth and influence, but not in the way most people think. I want the kind of wealth and influence that allows me to create radical, lasting change—not just for the Healthy Humaning movement, but for something much bigger. I’m talking about creating tangible, meaningful impact in a world that feels overwhelmed by broken, corrupt systems.
Let’s face it: The world is a mess. Systems are failing. People are suffering. And sometimes, it feels like the problems are so big that there’s no way to fix them—no matter how much wealth or power you gain. It’s easy to make vague promises and declarations that you’ll make a difference when you have the means to, but what if the wealth, power, and influence come, and you do nothing?
I refuse to fall into that trap.
We’ve seen too many people make grand declarations about wanting to change the world, only to remain silent when the chance to do something substantial presents itself. I don’t want to be one of them. So, I keep coming back to the phrase “Begin as you mean to continue.” And with that, I’m left asking myself: How do I intend to continue this work? Where do I start?
The answer isn’t as difficult as I thought. It’s easier to take action when you start paying attention to what makes you angry. For me, it’s the endless, relentless complaints about unhoused people. It’s the social media rants about how people need food, shelter, and other basic needs, but there’s no action behind it. The constant complaints, with no desire to help, seem to hit me every single day in local Facebook groups. And every time, I get frustrated.
I think to myself:
Why don’t you do something about it instead of just complaining?
What is the point of your complaint?
Do you even realize how privileged you are that it isn’t you?
What have you done to help lately?
Do you not see how this is a systemic failure?
Don’t you think if they had a better choice, they would take it?
While I don’t jump into these conversations publicly (I’m not one to complain in public forums), I can’t ignore the frustration building within me. Why am I angry at others’ inaction when I’m not actively doing anything to help either? I’m letting myself sit on the sidelines, too.
But here’s the thing: I don’t want to personally solve the problems of food and housing for my community. What I do want is to influence others to unlearn the apathy and indifference that society has ingrained in us. I want to foster empathy and shift the narrative. I want to remind everyone that all humans deserve access to the basic necessities of survival—food, shelter, safety. I want to show that these aren’t just abstract ideas. These are human rights.
When the wealth comes, I want it to serve as a resource, directed towards people who are experts in these areas—people who know how to use those funds effectively and in the most impactful way possible.
Why Food and Housing Matter
There are a million ways people need help and community support, but I decided to focus on food and housing because without these two, there is no foundation for thriving. There is no safety—physiological or psychological. Without access to food and shelter, a person’s entire existence is spent just trying to survive. They are constantly in survival mode, and there’s no energy left to dream, to grow, to thrive.
When we don’t have our basic needs met, there’s no space to move beyond just getting by. That’s why I’m starting here. If we can help people meet their most basic needs, we can help create a foundation for them to move forward in their lives and build the capacity to truly thrive.
Small Actions Can Make a Big Impact
One way I’m working to make a difference is by being vocal when I see others complaining about the issues without taking action. I’ve created some copy-paste responses that I can drop into these discussions, hoping that if I make these words visible enough, they’ll be considered more deeply. When people see that action is possible and achievable, they’re more likely to take it. My goal is to make it easier for people to act. The more they see this, the more it becomes an obvious choice.
So, here’s the shift I’m calling for:
Empathy: Let’s stop dehumanizing others and start remembering that everyone deserves basic needs.
Accountability: Let’s stop complaining and start doing. It doesn’t always take a big gesture—sometimes it’s as simple as listening, offering support, or donating resources.
Radical change: If we all start with the simple belief that people deserve to thrive, we can build something better. But we have to start now. Begin as you mean to continue.
