I am seeing a lot of pleas for help on social media from younger generations asking GenXers for advice on how to survive the current tariff war, rising prices, layoffs and possible recession. As your GenX sister, I would love to share my perspective on how to thrive through economic uncertainty because I’ve been there, done that and it made me stronger.
As a GenXer who went through the 2007-09 recession, as well as the COVID recession while being self-employed, I have also lived my entire life through chronic recessions. Since I was born in 1966, I have lived through 8 recessions. GenXers cut their teeth in recessions, we grew up in recessions, we received our education through recessions, we started our careers in recessions, we were laid off in recessions, and we thrived during recessions. The one thing that held me through all of the ups and downs: I did not panic and did not drop into fear. I truly believed All is well and everything always works out for the best. And it does.
Let me share a few lessons to help you navigate current events
First lesson
Did you know that Americans have survived 34 recessions since 1857? We survived those and we will survive this one. Keep current events in perspective because the U.S. economy is always a roller coaster. When you can stay grounded rather than getting swept up in hysteria, you will ride the roller coaster with ease. And if you have any spare money to invest (with the help of a financial advisor), this is how the wealthy become wealthier.
Second lesson
With endless news and social media, it can be difficult to escape from information unless you stick your head in the sand. Follow the principle of observe, don’t absorb. I limit my news consumption to 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening just to stay informed, but not get sucked in to the negative programming. Make sure it is a neutral news source that does not engage in opinion journalism or hype. I also recommend limiting your time on social media unless you have configured your algorithm to feed you inspiring posts that help you grow. Bring on the cat videos!
Too much time online will negatively impact your nervous system and create a host of physical, emotional and mental health issues. This approach will help you observe what is happening, but not absorb the energy of the negative programming. Think of it like this: Imagine you are living on an island without access to any news or information. Would you be anxious or fearful about the economy and world events? Nope! You would have no idea of what is happening. Fear and anger are energies that weaken you and contribute to poor decision making. When you can observe through detachment and not absorb other people’s emotions you will find your personal balance between knowing just enough and then letting the rest go.
Third lesson
Current events are different than the 2007-09 recession. While there were mass layoffs from the collapse of many industries (construction, manufacturing, auto, real estate, banking), price of goods did not skyrocket. So if you had income, you just kept living normally. During that recession I was in charge of a public policy legislative office outside of Washington DC and I did not change anything about my life. I continued normal spending which helped to stimulate the economy. So if you have income, keep spending what you have budgeted. In this time you will learn to buy smart.
The Great Depression (1929-33) involved extensive tariffs like current times. I remember my mom (who was a master genealogist and US/World History teacher) telling me how my grandparents survived through simplicity and taking on extra work when available. During these times I practice simplicity which means buying what I need (food and paying bills) and buying what brings me joy (books, crystals, day trips to Lake Michigan or 2-night mini vacations within driving distance). There is a reason that retail therapy feels so good. Set a budget for what you need and what brings you joy and stick to it. Because filling your life with joy is THE antidote to the fear of the economic turbulence.
Also think about side work that you can do from home or online. What are you good at? Do you have unique information to share with others? What things that your friends ask your advice on? That’s where you can earn side income.
Fourth lesson
When it comes to simplicity, one area where you can simplify, save money and improve your health is in the food you buy. As a Certified Health Coach, I recommend only shopping the perimeter of your grocery store. That is where “real” food is found. When you shop the interior, you are buying heavily processed foods that, in reality, are not real food and will contribute to health issues. You also pay more for processed foods because you are paying for the processing. Homemade meals always cost less.
I learned this lesson when I was a law student working full time and going to law school at night. Each weekend was an assembly line of making bulk lunch and dinners for the week that I would take to work with me. Five dinners in a row of turkey, mashed potatoes and broccoli cost much less than pre-packaged meals! I still eat this was to this day. Stock up on bags of rice, dried beans, frozen veggies, and spices and you can make an endless variety of healthy meals. Go online and find recipes! This will help you save money and stay healthy because stress will destroy the body if not kept in check.
Fifth lesson
Mind your mindset. If you allow your thoughts to doom scroll social media, get sucked into negative news programming, and go down an anxious fearful rabbit hole, you will not be able to make good decisions. Those anxious and fear-based thoughts will also cause sleeplessness, aches and pains, digestive issues, headaches, relationship issues, and the list goes on.
It is vitally important that you focus on finding joy throughout your day. What can you do that brings you joy? Is it your morning coffee ritual? Drawing a card from an oracle card desk? Exercising? A walk in nature? Every day, do what brings you joy.
If you want to stop a runaway thought quickly, smell a pure essential oil. Essential oils rewire the neural pathways by signaling the olfactory system which stimulates the brain to secrete serotonin and dopamine (the feel good hormones). This research article summarizes a group of studies that prove it.
What essential oils can help?
Use what you have, but make sure they are truly pure and not fragrance oils. Essential oils like Bergamot, Chamomile, Frankincense, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Patchouli and Rose are my favorites for calming and clearing negative thoughts.
If you want to learn more, check out my Nervous System & Vagus Nerve Reset on-demand immersion event or watch my free on-demand class on Essential Oils for Emotional Energetic Wellness.
Sixth lesson
Shift your frequency. Did you know that crystals actually work on your frequency to ground and calm anxious energy and raise your frequency above the chaos? I teach the science of how that works in my crystal classes. Here’s the short story: Crystals come from the Earth and contain the healing frequency of Earth and nature. Our body and energy field is simply energy. Energy can be transformed and transmuted. And our DNA is constantly surveilling surroundings and will reshape to frequencies it encounters. This is why when you are around your complaining toxic friend, you walk away feeling worse. And it’s why you are drawn to touch crystals. Crystals work on physics principles and help us to stay in frequency alignment.
What crystals can help?
Here are a few recommendations of crystals to carry in your pocket throughout the day, hold in your hands to quiet your mind, or lay on your body at the end of the day:
- Grounding and calming = Black Tourmaline, Blue Lace Agate, Hematite, Smoky Quartz
- Raise your frequency above chaos = Apophyllite, Citrine, Clear Quartz, Herkimer Diamonds, Himalayan Quartz, Selenite
- Dual purpose grounding & raising frequency = Amethyst, Auralite 23, Labradorite, Rutilated Quartz
If you are not sure how to work with crystals, check out my free Introduction to Crystal Healing class where I give specific crystal recommendations to transmute negative emotions like anger, depression, fear. Or get my Guided Crystal Journal that is 100+ pages of crystal education, crystal journeys to explore, 160 crystal descriptions, and 40 pages to journal your crystal experiences and create a daily crystal habit.
Seventh lesson
Difficult times breed expansion of your soul. No one grows without a little pain. We know this from Diamonds that are only created under extreme physical pressure. During these times you may discover that you have a gift to share with the world that can earn you extra income or shift you onto a more aligned career path.
You may take a class, read a book/blog, listen to a creator who teaches you something that you put your unique energetic imprint on and share with the world. That is what a lot of people did during COVID and they created financial abundance out of a difficult time. Go through this time with THAT mindset and watch how you thrive. This is how I moved from a stressed out full-time attorney to a thriving full-time energy wellness business owner.
Allow for change, be open and be flexible. Join my Sacred Shift community and deep dive into how to shift.
Need additional help or mentoring?
- Energy Mentoring Session = BRAND NEW! Book a private one-hour session with me and let’s brainstorm how to get you unstuck and reveal your unique gifts to help you thrive. I blend my lawyer and intuitive energy brain to help you get clear.
- Join my Sacred Shift community to really go deep into understanding the shifting energies and how you can thrive.
- My YouTube page is packed with hundreds of free classes on crystals, essential oils, and more.
- Follow my social media pages as I am always posting about how to thrive during these times.
From a GenXer who has lived my entire life through the ups and downs of the economy, my best advice is to stay calm, don’t get sucked into negative news, stay away from anything or anyone that creates fear or anxiety, and allow this time to transform you into the amazing human being that you are here to be.
Do not look at this as something to survive; instead, look at current events as an opportunity for you to thrive. I have done it, and you can too.
Yours in peace,

Woo woo, says who? As a Chief Master Catalyst blending 10 coaching & energy certifications with my lawyer brain, my passion is helping people understand the science and logic behind crystals, energy healing, essential oils, Universal Laws and more. Once you logically understand how they work, you will understand the metaphysical and spiritual benefits and have your ah-ha moment. I am the author of The Oily Pet, The Oily Crystal and The Guided Crystal Journal. I am the creator of The Sacred Shift community, The Oily Crystal Master Class and The Crystal Cluster community. As a former prosecuting attorney & animal protection expert, I love helping people understand their animal companions at a deeper level, while helping abused, neglected & shelter pets heal. For those of us who have them grace our worlds, they are our soul mates.






































