Let’s Talk about Advocacy Burnout (Because It’s a Thing).
Say you’re on fire for the anti-trafficking movement. You’re raising awareness, buying ethically made items and donating to anti-trafficking organizations. Or maybe it’s a different cause, like environmental protection or mental illness awareness. Either way, if you’re really passionate about advocacy, you’ll have an inexhaustible supply of energy for it forever, right?
A group photo with my 2018 Dressember team!
Sadly, it’s not that easy. There’s a little thing called advocacy burnout, and it happens to the best of us. Somewhere along the way, no matter how enthusiastic we are about an issue, we just get tired.
Because fighting injustice can be frustrating. Grim statistics and stories of suffering are constantly flooding our newsfeeds. Each one can feel like a blow to the face when you’re giving everything you can to combat these atrocities. When you can’t see the fruits of your labor, it’s easy to question whether you’re even making a difference. You might be tempted to quit altogether.
Burnout sucks. But it doesn’t have to win. Here are some tips to avoid it:
Meet up.
You don’t have to go it alone. Grab coffee with a like-minded friend. Start a Dressember team. Throw a soirée. Spending time with fellow advocates can reignite your passion and remind you that we’re in this together.
Try something new.
If you’re advocating like crazy and no one seems to be listening, try switching it up. Organize a community awareness event, throw a clothing swap fundraiser or take some out-of-the box pictures for your Instagram. After all, variety is the spice of life.
Don’t forget the survivor stories.
When reading about injustice after injustice online has you discouraged, try reading some survivor stories. There are plenty of women who have found liberation from human trafficking and are now living lives full of hope. Read about them on our blog.
Take a break.
Feeling overworked? Sometimes the best thing to do is step back. Spend a little time doing something life-giving—a night in, dinner with friends, a hike—and take a rest from thinking about the weight of the world’s problems. If you consistently take care of your own needs, it’ll be easier to maintain perspective and enthusiasm in the long run.
Don’t discredit yourself.
Advocacy burnout will make you feel like your efforts are insignificant. Like you can’t make a difference unless you’re famous, rich, uber-talented or ultra-knowledgeable. Don’t listen to it. Your impact is valuable, no matter who you are. Even if you don’t raise a dime, you’re putting the word out there, and that’s so important. Simply showing up and fighting for what you believe in makes a huge difference.
The next time you’re wishing you could make a bigger impact, don’t despair. Those feelings of discouragement are normal, but they don’t have turn into defeat. So pour yourself a cup of tea, take a deep breath and go get ‘em. You’re more powerful than you think.
This post was written as part of an application for an editorial intern position at the Dressember Foundation. Click here or here for some of my published work on the Dressember blog.
