Among the features of this week’s COIN Chronicle is a look at the NOTUS.org article, “I Mostly Ignored Politics for 10 Months. What Did I Miss?” by Dana Milbank. Milbank’s focus is on what changed in political discourse, court decisions, etc. before and after his (partially forced) sabbatical. That focus by itself is interesting.
But the story’s lead-in carries away much of that focus. It’s hard not to pause on that “ignored politics for 10 months” part.
Can you even do that?
May Day was no “No Kings” event in scale, but it meant similar extra work and planning for Indivisible groups and their like-minded neighbor organizations. We all had more work to get to the next day. So we suggest this is as good a time as any to ask a question: How do you avoid burnout?
Consider it a “Self Care” topic if you will. Use the comments form below to add your best recommendations for staying both focused and well, with or without resorting to Milbank’s “Rip Van Winkle” solution… Or, just relate your own personal feelings and observations whether you’ve solved that problem or not!
Peter Bergel
Salem Regional Indivisible, Indivisible One Million Rising, The PeaceWorker (Founder/Editor) / Salem
Many years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Sister Rosalie Bertell–a nun, cancer researcher and activist. She told me that the NUMBER ONE responsibility of an activist–the very MOST important thing–is to avoid burnout. She noted that while many of us feel that we have a large investment in the movement (however we perceive that), at the same time–after a period of our involvement–the movement also has a large investment in us. If we burn out, that investment is lost. She advised doing whatever one needs to do to avoid it.
Thus, I applaud Dana Milbank’s decision to take “a mental health break.” It would be preferable not to have to leave action for 10 months, but do whatever is required.
Therefore, the question is: what can we do to feed our spirit, relax our tension and anxiety, and steer clear of the misperception that all will collapse if we do not hold it together?
To feed the spirit, many turn to religion or other spiritual practices. Excellent, if it works for you. If not, rededicating oneself to nonviolence and studying what that means is helpful to many. Seeking solitude and beauty in nature is another method.
To relax tension, I play racquetball, but any sport or hobby can help–as can music, art, drama and movies.
Perhaps most likely to lead to burnout is the belief that we are irreplaceable in the movement role we have chosen. The best way to avoid that is to actively recruit and train others to help you execute your role and then allow them to share power, make mistakes and learn from them. Not only does that help you prevent burnout, but it also serves the movement by building leadership.
Bobby Sample
Dunes City Indivisible / COIN Comms Team
I concur with all of the above. None of us is truly replaceable, but any number of others can work toward our shared end goals, even if their skill sets, styles, and social reach vary wildly.
It can be challenging to find the line between what I do personally, and what matters toward reaching a shared goal such as getting a message out or strengthening a community. I might put too much extra effort and emotion into doing things my way, just as I might do the same toward the aim of empty people-pleasing.
Sadly, I’ve witnessed the negative impact of community leaders who think it’s all about themselves. If you crave the stage, join a theatre troupe. If you stick with working within a normal community instead, then trust others to work off-script and out of your light most of the time.
Is there any more practical advice than to reduce your daily screen exposure? If there is, I can’t think of it. Shut off the devices for a few hours!
Justin Lloyd Ludwig
Florence Indivisible, City Club of Florence, Florence Young Professionals, Florence ORganizes / Florence
Having experienced burnout, I’m not sure if I’m the wrong person to speak on how to avoid it, or if perhaps this is the perfect topic for me. I often find myself deeply attuned to my projects, while other parts of my life are starved for attention in unsustainable ways.
It’s hard to imagine if this problem can ever truly be solved. It’s a constant struggle to maintain consistency through the peaks and valleys of organizing and social movements. Just remembering that there always will be peaks and valleys is half the battle.
Especially in this moment, when we have so much happening everywhere, all the time, maintaining a steady vision of our path can be challenging, even when we know the goals haven’t changed. Distractions are abound everywhere, waiting to divert us. Certainly, the abundance of social media and television (especially ads) don’t help; AI is supercharging this.
Burnout is an issue that I see often talked about in local organizing circles and workshops, most recently at the Rural Organizing Project caucus, and in my weeks of training with the Strategic Nonviolence Academy.
Often the most effective salve to burnout is self-compassion, which can take many forms. This might mean blocking off time to focus on self-care with a walk along a trail, or taking time with friends to enjoy some low-stakes entertainment. Whatever is your jam, do that thing you’ve put off for weeks. Recharge while you’re still able. Rest is resistance.
Self-compassion can also mean just giving yourself some grace and, literally, thanking yourself for being the kind of person you’re aspiring to be, and not giving up on yourself. Be present in some solitary moments and talk to yourself as if you were talking to a friend. We can often be our own worst critic, but if it was a best friend going through the same experience, what would you tell them?
“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.”
Breath-work is also a trending practice that can have real benefits, especially with the right concentration. Find a quiet, comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed. Imagine all the difficult things happening in your life, and then close your eyes and picture them. Breathe in for five seconds through your nose, hold them deep at the bottom of your chest for seven seconds, then slowly breathe out relief for eight seconds.
Breathe in constriction, challenge, and polarization. Breathe out relief. Imagine all of these troubles leaving with only peace remaining. Train yourself to do this, and it’s amazing how well it can work!
Shar Walbaum
Indivisible Lincoln City / Lincoln City
After the third tireless worker in our vineyard has burned out in a year, this is a timely topic.
What they have in common was a deep concern about the crisis they find themselves in and needing to act. None of them had been political activists before. The gravity of this moment held them fast. They said yes and yes and yes. In each case, they went on until their bodies said no.
I’m thinking about what I can do to spot this as it’s developing. Past that, the question is – how to effectively intervene. None of them asked for help or found it easy to accept help.
Advice?
Peter Bergel
Salem Regional Indivisible, Indivisible One Million Rising, The PeaceWorker (Founder/Editor) / Salem
Advice? A bit, perhaps. Here are 3 suggestions.
First, I believe it is each person’s individual responsibility to avoid burnout, but we can help by setting up an expectation from the get-go that people will take care of themselves and that it is OK to say no if necessary. Often in movement work we allow willing newcomers to keep saying yes past the time when they need to take care of their own needs. We can ask, if we suspect that’s what we are seeing.
Second, celebration is a crucial part of avoiding burnout, as is camaraderie. Make it about other things than just work: art, music, partying and other kinds of shared fun. Build friendships, not just work relationships. Emphasize teamwork and recognize every person’s contributions.
Third, burnout can be permanent, but does not need to be. Reach out to someone who has retreated and invite them back into the work and play when they are ready. Address their issues, if they are open to that.
If you would like to contribute to future installments of Our Voices, let us know. We also welcome responses in the comments section below.