Campaigning for a better future can be both physically and mentally exhausting. If you’re feeling the fatigue, here’s how you can recognise the symptoms and restore your energy.
News Fatigue
- If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the constant news cycle, log off! It’s okay to create parameters for yourself, for example enforce that between 6PM – 9AM that you won’t constantly check Twitter for the latest news. However, it’s important to recognise that the ability to ‘ignore the news’ can be a privilege and you need to examine what that means and reflect on why you may feel uncomfortable.
Conversation Fatigue
- Tough conversations with your family, friends, colleagues and social followers can be draining, but they’re important and need to happen. If you know that there are questions that you commonly get asked in conversations, have resources at hand that you can direct people towards. It’s not your job to be a teacher, and facilitating conversations doesn’t solely have to be done by educating people, especially if you’re an ally and don’t have direct experience of the issue at hand.
Protest Fatigue
- Joining a march, protest or demonstration can be physically draining, especially under the current circumstances. Plus, for some missing work or spending time outside of your house may not be an option. It’s okay to take action in other ways, whether that’s by sharing and signing petitions or educating yourself further on the issues at hand. It’s important to understand that there is no hierarchy when it comes to activism, big or small, your input is welcome and crucial.
Social Media Fatigue
- Social media has become a reliable way to spread information during the digital age. However, it can become frustrating seeing people post without recognising the current political climate. But you need to remember that you are in control of curating your feed. Unfollow people that don’t inspire or educate you, find people who will facilitate growth.
Action Fatigue
- There is no endpoint to progress. Even if you’ve read the books, watched the films and had the awkward conversations, you will never reach a point where you are done! This is a lifelong commitment. Think about how you can commit to activism everyday and continue to hold yourself accountable in the long term.
