There is an I in activism.
10 Things Self-Care Is ... 5 Things It Isn't
Hello beautiful people. It was wonderful seeing those of you who were able to join us for April’s workshop. It was such a great group! We’re also grateful for the opportunity to meet with amazing activist groups in Alabama and Indiana recently. (If you have a progressive group in need of some activist care, please let us know. We are happy to help where we can.) Thank you all for making time for yourselves!
We are appreciative of your patience while we catch up from a rollercoaster April here at Activist Care Circle. We’d love to share a recap and some resources for those of you who were unable to attend the ‘Staying Sane in Troubled Times’ workshop, and for those of you who would like a refresher. Please share this newsletter with anyone you think may need it.
There may not be an I in team, but there is an I in activism. In fact, there are 2. Maybe that’s because it’s doubly important that we understand we must take care of ourselves to take care of others. If we hope to remain in this movement, self-care is a priority. Neglecting your own needs isn’t just exhausting. It’s unsustainable. And while it’s true that when activists prioritize self-care it is beneficial to/for the movement, it’s so much more than that. You too, friend, are worthy of the care and comfort you seek for others. You must not let yourself get lost in the chaos of the world. The world deserves better, and so do you.
Here are a few tips for what self-care is, and is not.
Self-care is so much more than a bubble bath. It is:
Caring for you own basic needs
Letting go of perfectionism
Creating and holding boundaries
Resting, often, and guilt-free
Doing things that bring you joy
Positive self-talk, you are pretty awesome :)
Taking tech breaks (computers, social media, news)
Nourishing your mind, body and spirit (i.e. read, exercise, be in nature)
Celebrating wins and successes, even the small ones
Utilizing community, asking for help. Self-care doesn’t have to be a solo act.
And, it is also important to note what self-care isn’t. It is not:
Always easy or enjoyable (i.e. going to bed at decent time, finding time for exercising)
Abandoning responsibilities, being selfish (not an excuse to do whatever we want)
Commercialized beauty treatments or trinkets
A one-time thing to check off your list
Abusive to your body, mind, or wallet
“The best way to take care of the environment is to take care of the environmentalist.” - Thich Nhat Hanh
Now that we have a better general understanding of self-care, let’s map out what it looks like for each of us.
One of the best tools out there for creating a self-care plan is the Tree of Contemplative Practices, created by Maia Duerr and Carrie Bergman. The Tree offers a creative way to build a plan and discover new ways to meet our needs. You can find a copy of Duerr & Bergman’s tree here, along with instructions and suggestions from us. Print it out or draw your own version. It does not need to be completed in one sitting, nor is it meant to be permanent. Update your tree as you, and your needs, grow and change.
The important thing is to be familiar with options for filling our cups - before they are empty. An exhausted activist is not a very effective one. You must remember to include yourself in that new world we’re building.