When Chaos Hits, Stay Cool: Your Guide to Thriving in 2025

Seven years later, here's what I've learned about rebuilding after loss...

Author

Colleen Kochannek
January 19, 2025

In partnership with

WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE - YOU DON’T HAVE TO

TikTok went dark last night. Now, it’s back.

Trump is being inaugurated tomorrow. 

The general news? Honestly, it’s too much. I’ve stopped watching mainstream news, preferring to get snippets of stories from journalists I follow online (mostly TikTok, ironically) and from services like 1440 (an email a day with the latest news stories - check it out below).

Now, there’s late-breaking speculation about TikTok:

  • It was a hoax.

  • Meta brokered a secret deal ages ago.

  • We’ve all been played.

  • The US Government is going to control it.

The truth? We have absolutely no idea and probably never will. 

This kind of uncertainty and cloak and dagger, though? It stings. It’s the feeling of losing control - or worse, realizing we never had it.

But here’s the good news: You don’t need control over “the system” to shape your life.

If you’re like me, you’re laser-focused on making 2025 remarkable. Let’s talk about how to keep your cool and stay intentional when the world feels chaotic.

5 Ways to Keep Moving Forward

  1. Focus On What You Can Control

Keep writing your script.

  • Build your business, start your project, keep showing up on social media, launch the retreat, start the new Spanish 101 class…

  • Pace yourself. Stay consistent.

  • Every step forward is a step away from the chaos.

2. Use Your Voice

No matter what happens in the world, or on social media,  your voice doesn’t have to fade.

  • Start a blog, podcast, or YouTube channel.

  • Send out the newsletter.

  • Go to local networking events or a Meetup.

  • Share your unique perspective - it’s grounding and empowering.

3. Stay Connected To Your Community

People need connection now more than ever.

4. Double Down On You

Chaos shakes us, but it’s also a reset button.

  • Keep reminding yourself what truly matters to you?

  • Focus on building projects that align with who you want to be now. 

  • Anchor yourself in your values to steady yourself. 

5. Be The Example You Want To See

Show others what’s possible.

  • Keep pursuing your dreams.

  • Find joy in your everyday actions.

  • Build something meaningful. 

A Final Thought

When all hell seemingly breaks loose, it’s tempting to feel anxious. But here’s the truth: You’ve got the power to steer the narrative.

Your remarkable-to-you life isn’t tied to external things like TikTok, politics or the news. It’s about your willingness to:

  • Experiment.

  • Dream.

  • Take small, bold steps forward.

The world might be spiraling, but you’re not. 

You’ve got the wisdom. The grit. The imagination.

And you’re the example someone else needs to see today.

MINI-ADVENTURES TO FIND THE NEXT YOU?

I’ve been working on a project to shake things up - a way to step outside my bubble, try new things, and explore places I’ve never been. It’s all part of figuring out who I am now and opening myself to new possibilities.

I truly believe curiosity is one of the most powerful tools for moving forward, especially when you're feeling stuck or unsure about what’s next. Exploring the world - even through small, intentional experiences - can help you rediscover parts of yourself you might have forgotten or never realized existed.

While I haven’t nailed down all the mini-adventures I’ll be tackling yet (though I do have a GeoCaching session planned for February 22), I’m gathering resources and ideas to inspire my journey - and yours. 

If you’re ready to shake things up too, here’s where I’ve been looking for inspiration:

  • Local Parks and Recreation Calendars: Great for events, classes, and programs that get you out into the community.

  • Community College Continuing Education Programs: Check for beginner-friendly workshops or skill-building courses. Don’t forget local university programs, too.

  • Community Publications and Information Boards: Keep an eye out for local happenings you might not otherwise discover.

  • Local Facebook Groups: These often have unique opportunities shared by community members.

  • Topic-Specific Google Searches: Try searching for interests like Beginner Adult Hip Hop Classes or Watercolor for Beginners.

  • AI Tools: Yes, I’ve been using ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas! (I’ve even included a simple prompt below.)

One of my favorite resources so far has been a list my friend Brittany Finkelstein put together - 1200 hobbies to try, including 200 that are totally couch-friendly. 

Here’s the ChatGPT prompt I used to kickstart my planning:
"I want to plan six mini-adventures for 2025. One of them can be overnight, but the rest need to be day trips from St. Louis. What are 20 ideas you have for me?"

The AI generated a great list, and I picked my favorites. I even had it help me calendarize them by the best time of year. 

Your turn:  What mini-adventures could help you step out of your bubble and into new possibilities? Let’s compare notes and inspire each other. 

I've always encouraged my students not to put all their eggs - or their audience - into one basket. The recent TikTok shenanigans are yet another reminder of why that’s so important.

Since starting my online business in 2017, I’ve been on many platforms - but admittedly not as consistently as I could have been. I’m course-correcting on that now.

One of my goals moving forward is to build a thriving community across multiple platforms, so no matter where you prefer to hang out online, you can connect with me.

For the past four months, I’ve been going live every morning at around 7 AM CT on TikTok with the Coffee with Colleen and Trixie Morning Show. Now, I’m expanding that show to several platforms, so you can tune in from whichever one you love most.

I’m currently setting up an app (StreamYard) that will allow me to livestream to multiple platforms at once, and I plan to have that up and running by early this week.

In the meantime, you can follow me on the platform of your choice:

I look forward to catching up with you… everywhere.

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