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Seeing a lot of talk about new activist burnout lately and I think, as a disabled & mentally ill person who was raised to idolize workaholism and perfectionism and who will be working to unlearn that for probably ever, I have some perspective that might be helpful.
This is particularly directed at white folks who are totally new to activism/protesting/showing up, but maybe also those who are not so new, in these times.
~thread~
~thread~
Most activists experience burnout at some point.
If you are new to activism, you'll prob burn out faster than more experienced folks.
The more embedded you were in white capitalist ableist ideas of labor, effort, and value before you started, the faster and harder the burnout.
If you are new to activism, you'll prob burn out faster than more experienced folks.
The more embedded you were in white capitalist ableist ideas of labor, effort, and value before you started, the faster and harder the burnout.
This! Is! Normal!
It sucks, yes. But contributing sustainably is a skill, it has to be learned and practiced, and you won't have had the practice yet. You've likely even been TAUGHT to burn out.
The key is to learn from it and do better when - not if, when - you keep going.
It sucks, yes. But contributing sustainably is a skill, it has to be learned and practiced, and you won't have had the practice yet. You've likely even been TAUGHT to burn out.
The key is to learn from it and do better when - not if, when - you keep going.
Because you have not failed. Do not give up! Learn, adjust, grow.
There may still be ways to contribute while you're getting yourself kindled again. There's always more than one way to help. Seek them. They keep you connected AND guide you toward more sustainable work long-term.
There may still be ways to contribute while you're getting yourself kindled again. There's always more than one way to help. Seek them. They keep you connected AND guide you toward more sustainable work long-term.
In the meantime: so you're burned out. You have a lot of feelings. You're overwhelmed. First exhaustion, numbness. Probably guilt. Anger, resentment at the system that burned you. Grief. Shame at a feeling of failure. Helplessness when faced with the scale of effort needed.
Despair. Simple frustration, at your inability to effect change.
If you've always had enough privilege to be able to accomplish what you want, when you want, because you want it, you're probably also feeling confused, hurt, betrayed that it hasn't worked this time.
If you've always had enough privilege to be able to accomplish what you want, when you want, because you want it, you're probably also feeling confused, hurt, betrayed that it hasn't worked this time.
Just like newbie burnout itself, having some or all of these feelings is ABSOLUTELY NORMAL.
They don't mean the world is over or that you're weak or broken or that you can't be an activist. I promise.
They don't mean the world is over or that you're weak or broken or that you can't be an activist. I promise.
The key is how you engage with those feelings. You may be feeling powerless, but you can still take responsibility.
Just as you know (I hope) that we (white ppl) don't ask our friends of color to process our horror or guilt about racism, we don't ask them to process our burnout feelings.
It is not ever, ever their job to make our bad feelings go away.
It is not ever, ever their job to make our bad feelings go away.
See if you can think of "recovery from burnout" less as "bad feelings stop" - bc the work is hard and feelings will happen, always.
What will "ready to do more again" look like for you, if freed from perfectionism?
What will help you process, stabilize you, fill you up?
Ex:
What will "ready to do more again" look like for you, if freed from perfectionism?
What will help you process, stabilize you, fill you up?
Ex:
Spend time with peers. Talk to your faith leaders (if you have a faith) about despair and hope. Talk to your therapist/counselor (see one!) about grief, anger, confusion, trauma. Listen to elders about how they keep going. Write. Rest. Talk to your pets, your plants.
The feelings aren't forever. Ease them out of crisis mode with self- and community-care. Learn what they're telling you about the world you're trying to change, and about yourself. Stay with it. Breathe.
Then return to the work.
Then return to the work.
This time, take what you've learned and make more strategic choices. What are your strengths? Where is your effort needed? Who shares the load?
You might burn out again - you prob will at some point. Hopefully this time it'll take longer, and when it comes it won't be so scary.
You might burn out again - you prob will at some point. Hopefully this time it'll take longer, and when it comes it won't be so scary.
Like so many other things: it all gets easier with practice. Let yourself learn and unlearn.
Just don't take it out on others, and don't let it take you out either.
Rest, recover, return. You can do it.
Just don't take it out on others, and don't let it take you out either.
Rest, recover, return. You can do it.
