I think as someone who is on the losing side it's important to not just be pessimistic, but make the best out of every opportunity. Yes real socialist leaders aren't elected they're elevated by people, in respective communities, based on their actions. If soft power expands and lets you educate more openly, educate, keep on educating, don't fall into despair.

Look at what makes the world around you beautiful, there's beauty even in despair, you are beautiful, ask yourself what stop the world from being more so and what can you do about it? Don't shame yourself if what do seems pointless and small, you wouldn't shame a small creature from attempting to fight against a pack of bloodthirsty predators, even if it seems futile. We're not alone and the predators are busy devouring each other.