69: Glowing Up When the World Is On Fire

Quinn opens with a personal update on last week’s co-parenting conversation with Britta and why the extended chat now lives on Britta’s Substack. From there, Quinn digs into a hard question: How do we ethically glow up when Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, ICE raids, creeping fascism, and inflation are part of daily life?Her answer: a glow-up ≠ vanity. It’s alignment. It’s choosing where to invest (time, money, energy) and where to divest (relationships, brands, beliefs, guilt) so your life becomes a living declaration of your values. Quinn shares practical examples—from food rescue and ER volunteering to “dance-party therapy” with her kids—plus historic and modern stories of women who glowed under pressure. The close is a rallying cry: You can’t do everything, but you can do something—and that something matters.Key TakeawaysGlow-up = alignment. It’s not lashes and Pilates; it’s integrity, clarity, and courage.Invest intentionally: community care, ethical spending, practices that keep you strong (therapy, journaling, lifting, rest, prayer/meditation, movement).Divest strategically: from draining relationships, exploitative brands, misaligned dating, and the guilt of “not doing enough.”One for me, one for we: each day, do one thing that resources you and one thing that serves your community.Your portfolio can change. What you invest/divest in will shift with seasons, capacity, and callings.Mini-Guide: Invest & Divest ChecklistInvestMutual aid / local volunteering (food rescue, shelters, community fridges)Showing up (school board meetings, public comment, court support)Women-/BIPOC-/locally-owned businessesNervous-system care (therapy, journaling, lifting, nature, sleep)Connection & joy (weekly dance party with the kids, friend dates)DivestRelationships that chronically disrespect boundariesBrands that profit from exploitation or environmental harmConversations/partners misaligned with core valuesDoomscrolling that drains actionGuilt for not doing everythingPractical Prompts (Journal or Voice Note)Values audit: What 3 words define my current season?Spending scan: Which 2 merchants this month reflect my values? Which 1 doesn’t?Time audit: What will I lovingly say no to this week to make room for a deeper yes?Daily duet: What’s one thing for me today? What’s one thing for we?Resources & LinksBritta’s Substack episode (full co-parenting conversation): HERE or listen to the first 15 mintues HEREFind a local food rescue / mutual aid: search “[your city] + food rescue,” “[your city] + mutual aid”ER/hospital volunteer programs: check your local hospital’s website under “Volunteer Services”Try This This Week5-minute money check: Move one recurring purchase to a local or values-aligned option.Text two friends: “Volunteering Saturday 8–10am—want to come?”30-minute joy move: Solo dance party or walk—notice how your body wants to move.One email of courage: Decline a misaligned commitment without over-explaining.PostDivorceGlowUp.comEmail: [email protected]