The necessity of self-care right now
Recharge so you have resources to fight another day
The inspiring feminist, writer, professor and civil rights activist Audre Lorde wrote, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
Powerful words of wisdom in these times.
Virtually all of you are deeply invested in stopping the current administration’s march towards authoritarian rule. But we’re also committed to using this crisis as an opportunity to shift power away from billionaire overlords to the everyday people who make this country run. Our vision is for everyone – no matter where we come from, how much we earn or the color of our skin – to be able to realize our dreams.
But the daily onslaught of news and policy announcements emanating from D.C. is relentless, whether you learn about it from traditional media or digital sources. Immigrants kidnapped to gulags in Aurora, other states and even other countries. Visiting university students “disappeared” by plain clothed men and thrown in jail for exercising free speech. Millions of people – including kids, elders and people with disabilities – kicked off Medicaid. Hungry families losing food assistance. Tax cuts for the wealthiest few while taxes for working people stay about the same or even increase. Attacks on civil society institutions like higher ed, law firms and mainstream media outlets. And at home, peaceful protestors terrorized.
Burning out on it all is understandable – and remember, it’s by design. The administration’s strategy is to “flood the zone” to sow confusion, fear, paralysis and despair. We must find ways to survive these times and sustain the collective hope that will fuel the change we all believe in.
Radical self-care is not optional for all of us in the fight. We’ll all choose different paths, but it’s essential that we support our physical, mental and emotional well-being to stay in the fight.
When we’re burned out, rest feels wrong. Prolonged stress, doom and anxiety convinces us tension is peace. Slowly, we might distance ourselves from our hobbies and loved ones, closing off for just one moment of calm. It’s a cliché that rest is slowing down or stopping. But we argue rest takes effort. By allowing ourselves to rest, we’re practicing the kind of life we want to live tomorrow. Maybe in that way, rest is more like a good stretch.
Among the four of us, self-care takes various forms. Yoga. Fun with friends. Daily meditation. Family ties. Journaling. Connecting with nature. Seeing live music. Reading. Laughter. Mind-altering substances. Outdoor pursuits like skiing, biking, hiking and snowshoeing and indoor exercise like Pilates and rec center visits. Joining with others for community protests and volunteering.
Whatever it is, make sure YOU are intentionally recharging to not just preserve yourself, but so you’re rested and ready for the political warfare to come.