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What if tending a garden, refusing plastic, or writing a poem was a kind of quiet rebellion?
That’s the heart of my conversation with poet and author David Gate, whose book A Rebellion of Care invites us to reimagine resistance—not as something loud or grand, but as something woven into our daily lives.
We talked about the ways we live inside systems that often feel too big to change, and how, instead of trying to escape them entirely, we can choose to weaken them through small, intentional acts. Whether it’s growing your own food, shopping locally, or creating art, each choice made with care is a thread pulled at the seams of a harmful system.
David reminded me (and I think all of us) that:
- You don’t have to do everything. But you do have to do something.
- Hope isn’t a feeling. It’s choosing to keep going.
- Convenience isn’t always the comfort we think it is.
We explored how real change begins in the margins—those overlooked corners of our days that we can reclaim from hustle, burnout, and consumption. And how compassion, especially for ourselves, is not a luxury but a necessity if we want to live more connected and meaningful lives.
There’s no perfect way to live simply or ethically. But there are deeply personal ways. And David’s words are a gentle, powerful reminder to follow our conscience, extend kindness inward and outward, and build lives rooted in care—bit by bit, day by day.
If you’re feeling weary or overwhelmed, I hope this conversation helps you feel a little more grounded—and a little more hopeful.
Where to Find David
Buy the Book: A Rebellion of Care