Excuse Yourself
The constant demands to do something are as relentless as DNC fundraising texts…it’s easy to burn out. Remember: no one can do everything. What matters is that we all do something.
If there’s a resistance task you feel pressured to do, but are really dreading, give yourself a pass.
Why we do it:
Resistance is growing, and it’s a firehose! That’s fantastic. It’s exactly what we want! I see signs of burnout all around, though. Lifelong activists (like me!) are exhausted from trying to ramp up organizing, resource production, and on-boarding. New activists are tired of being told whatever they do was the wrong thing. We’re exhausted.
That’s their goal. They want us to burn out and give up. So we resist by refusing. We rest when we need to. Someone said activism is like a choir: everyone has to stop to breath, but the whole keeps the note going. You aren’t just allowed to pause for breath, it’s a requirement!
Review your commitments and curate them. If there is a group not working for you, it’s okay to leave. If there’s a type of action that drains you, pivot that energy to something that feeds you. And remember to say “no” sometimes. This is a marathon, and you need to pace yourself.
