Things We Need to Normalize in 2025: Learning from History's Darkest Chapter

Like most of us recently, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about where we're headed as a society, and I can't help but notice some eerily familiar patterns that remind me of the 1930s. You know what I mean?

But here's the thing - we have something our grandparents didn't have: hindsight.

 So, let's talk about what we need to normalize in 2025 to avoid repeating history's mistakes.

1. Critical Thinking Over Blind Acceptance

Remember how in history class we learned about propaganda and how it shaped public opinion before WWII? Well, in 2025, we need to normalize questioning everything we read. And I mean everything. Not in a cynical way, but in a "let me cross-reference this information" kind of way.

These days, it's not just newspapers and radio - we're bombarded with information 24/7 through our phones. Every scroll, every click could be shaping our worldview. Let's normalize asking "Who's telling me this?" and "Why are they telling me this?" before we hit that share button.

Here's what this looks like in practice:

• When you see a shocking headline, take a breath before reacting

• Check if other reputable news sources are reporting the same story

• Look for the original source of quotes and statistics

• Pay attention to the date of the article (old news often circulates as "breaking")

• Notice emotional language that might be trying to manipulate your response

2. Kindness as Strength, Not Weakness

You know what's wild? How somewhere along the line, being kind got labeled as being "soft" or "weak." This was exactly the kind of thinking that helped authoritarianism rise in the 1930s - this idea that brutality equals strength.

Let's flip the script in 2025. Being kind when everyone else is cruel? That's hardcore. Standing up for someone being bullied? That's power. Showing empathy when it would be easier to look away? That's courage. We need to normalize the idea that kindness is one of the strongest choices you can make.

Think about it - it takes way more strength to:

• Keep your cool when someone's trying to provoke you

• Admit when you're wrong and apologize sincerely

• Help someone who might never be able to repay you

• Show compassion to people who disagree with you

• Choose forgiveness over revenge

3. Breaking Down "Us vs. Them" Mentality

One of the scariest things about the lead-up to WWII was how effectively people were convinced to see their neighbors as "others." It didn't happen overnight - it was a slow erosion of empathy and understanding.

In 2025, let's normalize calling out this kind of thinking whenever we see it. Whether it's in casual conversation or on social media, let's make it normal to say, "Hey, that's not cool" when someone starts generalizing about entire groups of people. Let's normalize curiosity about differences instead of fear.

Some practical ways to do this:

• Attend cultural events outside your comfort zone

• Read books and watch movies created by people with different backgrounds

• Strike up conversations with people you might usually avoid

• Challenge your own preconceptions and biases

• Share meals with people from different cultures

• Learn about different religions and belief systems with an open mind

4. Active Anti-Hate

Image Credit: Midjourney AI

Here's something I want to see normalized: not just being "not racist" or "not prejudiced," but being actively anti-hate. Because history shows us that staying neutral in the face of injustice isn't enough.

Let's make it normal to:

• Speak up when we hear discriminatory jokes

• Support and amplify marginalized voices

• Educate ourselves about different cultures and experiences

• Have uncomfortable conversations with friends and family about prejudice

• Actively support businesses and organizations that promote diversity

• Call out systemic inequalities in our workplaces and communities

• Use our privileges to create space for others

5. Community Over Division

The 1930s saw the rise of extreme nationalism - this idea that some countries and peoples were inherently better than others. In 2025, let's normalize thinking of ourselves as part of a global community. Your neighbor's kids can't afford school supplies? That's our problem. A natural disaster hits another country? That's our problem too.

Ways to build community:

• Start or join a neighborhood mutual aid network

• Organize community dinners and cultural exchanges

• Support local businesses and artists

• Volunteer for global causes

• Learn about global issues and how they interconnect

• Practice sustainable living for the sake of our shared planet

• Share resources and skills within your community

6. Fact-Checking as a Lifestyle

Let's make it as normal to fact-check as it is to brush our teeth. Seriously! Before WWII, people didn't have the tools we have now to verify information. We have no excuse. Let's normalize:

• Reading past headlines

• Checking multiple sources

• Looking up primary sources

• Admitting when we're wrong (this one's huge!)

• Supporting quality journalism

• Teaching others how to verify information

• Creating and sharing fact-checking resources

7. Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health

This is something they didn't talk about in the 1930s, but it's crucial now. A lot of hate and fear comes from unprocessed trauma and emotional pain. In 2025, let's normalize:

• Going to therapy

• Talking openly about mental health

• Taking mental health days

• Processing our emotions in healthy ways

• Supporting others in their mental health journey

• Understanding that mental health is just as important as physical health

• Recognizing how collective trauma affects society

8. Economic Justice and Solidarity

One of the factors that contributed to the rise of fascism was economic desperation and inequality. In 2025, let's normalize:

• Talking openly about wages

• Supporting workers' rights

• Questioning exploitative business practices

• Supporting ethical businesses

• Understanding how economic inequality affects society

• Taking collective action for better working conditions

• Sharing resources and opportunities

9. Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

This is something our grandparents didn't have to deal with, but it's crucial now. In 2025, let's normalize:

• Taking breaks from social media

• Creating positive online spaces

• Calling out digital harassment

• Protecting privacy (ours and others')

• Using technology to connect rather than divide

• Being mindful of our digital footprint

• Supporting ethical tech practices

Look, I get it. Sometimes it feels easier to just go with the flow, to not rock the boat, to mind our own business. But if history has taught us anything, it's that those small moments of looking the other way can snowball into something terrifying.

In 2025, let's normalize being "difficult" when it means standing up for what's right. Let's normalize being "sensitive" when it means protecting human dignity. Let's normalize being "political" when it means defending equality.

Because here's the truth: the road to WWII wasn't paved with dramatic moments of evil. It was paved with small moments of compliance, of silence, of people thinking "it's not my problem."

Let's make 2025 the year we say: actually, it is our problem. All of it. And we're going to do better.

Remember, change doesn't happen overnight, and it doesn't happen alone. It happens when enough of us decide to make small, consistent choices that align with our values. It happens when we choose to be brave enough to be kind, smart enough to question everything, and strong enough to stand up for what's right.

So, what are you going to normalize in 2025?

How are you going to contribute to making our world a little bit better?

Share your thoughts and commitments in the comments below - let's inspire each other to create the change we want to see! 😊

P.S. If you found this post helpful, share it with someone who might need to hear this message. Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation to start a change.