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“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.” 

– Langston Hughes

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In case you didn’t know this about me, I’m a huge Disney fan. Naturally, I spent August 9-11 glued to my phone, waiting for every new announcement that rolled out at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

Monster’s Inc Land coming to Hollywood Studios. Moana 2. The Greatest Showman, the STAGE MUSICAL?!? I’ll cry (again) just thinking about all of it.

There were also the not-as-popular announcements, like the first look at the new Snow White live action movie coming out next year… I gotta admit, some of those live action remakes don’t really do it for me. And I know I’m not alone in this feeling! 

Like the live action Mulan without the music or the new Lion King that feels like National Geographic, remakes sometimes show us that simply redoing what’s already been done with a few tweaks rarely satisfies. We crave something more, something that takes the familiar and transforms it into something fresh and full of life. We want reimagination. Kinda like Across the Spiderverse. Did y’all see that one? Wasn’t it incredible?!

I feel like the same idea can apply to today’s social and political landscape. We’re tired of the same ol’ same ol’, repackaged into something shiny and new. New politician, same harmful policies. New election cycle, same harmful rhetoric. We don’t want to remake unjust systems or ways of being, we want a reimagining. 

To me, hopeful reimagination involves using memory to help us dream up alternative solutions to current realities in pursuit of collective flourishing. While we aim to do this work together on a larger scale–through elections, policies, and reform–there are ways to bring the magic of reimagination into our daily lives too.

1. Protect your mind by limiting overconsumption.

In our pursuit of justice and change, it’s easy to get lost in the constant barrage of current events and endless opinions. But here’s the deal: overconsumption of our present reality can choke out our joy and stoke pessimism. Doomscrolling, violent content, and endless debates can trick us into thinking we’re doing something fruitful, but often, it’s just draining our energy. Protect your mind by setting boundaries—take social media breaks, limit your exposure to the noise, and focus on what truly matters. You’d be surprised how much your mind opens up and how much more space you have to dream.

2. Do less to dream more. 

Toni Morrison once said, 

“The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction…It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being…None of this is necessary. There will always be one more thing.”

And… she was right. We’re often so busy proving our worth and responding to distractions that we lose sight of our ability to dream up creative solutions to society’s most pressing issues. Reimagination requires us to create blank space in our lives—time to think, to dream, and to let new ideas take root. Whether it’s during chores, on a drive, or just sitting in silence, find those moments where your mind can wander and  your imagination can roam free. We can find many answers there.

3. Stay faithful to the source material. Learn from the past.

Our past holds valuable lessons that can guide our reimagination. The work of our ancestors and the progress they made are our source material. Don’t let anyone make you forget how far we’ve come. They dreamed of days like this, and their work is a blueprint for our future. The past can guide us toward creating something new and powerful.

Reimagination isn’t just a lofty idea; it’s a daily practice. As we navigate our lives, let’s remember to protect our minds, create space for dreaming, and stay rooted in the wisdom of the past. We’re not here to settle for remakes—we’re here to reimagine a future that’s full of life, justice, and hope.