Things we don't say enough
Our series for the moments you think you're the only one struggling.
One: Burnout isn't a personal failing
Occupational burnout is classified as a workplace phenomenon resulting from chronic, unmanaged stress, not an individual deficit. Underfunding, understaffing and high workload are structural failures, not yours.
Two: Urgency culture is a tactic, not a truth
Movements that can't sustain their work don't understand their people either.
Three: You don't have to witness every atrocity in real time to stay informed
Doomscrolling isn't solidarity. If you're overwhelmed but want to contribute, put your phone down and do three things in your immediate community. Help a neighbour, buy tins for the foodbank, volunteer to maintain a shared community space.
Four: Taking a day off doesn't mean you've abandoned the cause
The cause will still exist next week, and it needs you rested and functioning.
Five: You are allowed to outgrow a role, campaign or organisation
Burnout research links chronic exhaustion to prolonged role misalignment, not just workload. Changing role, cause or organisation for the sake of your wellbeing does not mean you don't care, or make you any less of an activist.
Get involved
Some truths need repeating until they stop feeling brave and start feeling obvious. Consider this a gentle invitation to rest, to say the hard thing out loud, to stop pretending you're fine, to ask for help, to sit in community, to look after yourself.
Look after yourself with us by joining our virtual workshops here
Book us to facilitate a workshop about mental health, wellbeing and joy in your organisation here
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Talk to us, our inbox is open! katy@thejoyfulactivists.com