Democracy in Retrograde is an unusually practical book based on a simple premise: Civics isn’t a theoretical idea. It pervades every aspect of our lives and can offer hope as well as frustration. Emily Amick ’07, former counsel to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and her co-author, Sami Sage, co-founder of Betches Media, make a persuasive case that the correlation between the health of our democracy and our mental and physical health is stronger than we think.

The authors reframe civic engagement as a form of self-care. It’s not just about voting; it’s about claiming a healthy place in your country and your community. Their approach is a breath of fresh air in the vast expanse of literature that would have us believe that all is lost, no matter what we do, that our democracy is in decline and our votes alone can’t save it from structures that are bigger than any of us.

By taking a quiz in the book titled “What is Your Civic Personality?” readers can identify themselves as one of four civic-engagement types—leaders, givers, connectors, and creators. “[T]hey aren’t meant to be rigid molds,” the authors write. “You could fall into more than one, and it may even change during different seasons of your life. Our goal is to help you explore how your personality, skills, and interests connect to helping in your community.”

The authors’ hopeful position is that no matter your personal preferences, you can find a positive and sustainable outlet for your civic impulses. Voting matters, but so does curating your news consumption around issues you care about; building a civic network by joining advocacy groups based on political interests; not backing down from difficult conversations across political lines (they provide tips on how to do this); and raising civic-minded children.

The authors’ approach will resonate with those of us seeking to make a difference in the greater civic dialogue. A list of resources will refresh readers’ knowledge about how civic institutions work and why they still matter. For those who did not major in political science or spend a summer interning in Washington, it’s a useful primer on the levers of power, at federal as well as local levels.

Whether you are a recent graduate seeking to extend your intellectual endeavors or a mid-career alum with commitments that have drawn you away from examining your civic life, this book offers sage advice that will help you stop doom-scrolling and start engaging in ways that have meaning and impact.