Balancing Social Advocacy & Burn Out Prevention
Social advocacy work is necessary and important, but advocates are at risk of burnout if they neglect to prioritize self-care
Social advocacy refers to the active process of promoting social change. Social advocacy typically involves:
Maintaining a focus on social justice, human rights, and equity.
Uplifting the voices of marginalized communities.
Holding space for communities affected by systems of oppression.
Challenging systems of oppression.
Unlearning unhelpful into
Educating others on systemic and systematic issues that impact marginalized identities.
Lobbying and creating political change.
Burnout
Burnout refers to the mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion that occurs after prolonged exposure to stressors without breaks. Burnout can lead to emotional, physical, cognitive, behavioral, and social symptoms:
Anxiety and depression
Fatigue
Anger or irritability
Cognitive issues
Cynicism or hopelessness
Sense of being a failure
Poor coping
Substance use
Social withdrawal
Social Advocacy & Burnout
While burnout is often associated with occupational stressors, social advocacy can also lead to burnout because of things like
Being consistently exposed to triggering topics, such as racism, violence, and other inequities.
Fighting for advocacy without taking breaks or proper rest.
Becoming overwhelmed with unrealistic goals.
Working hard and not observing change.
Social advocacy is necessary work; however, it is still important to take care of ourselves to prevent burnout.
Managing Burnout
Taking breaks and practicing self-care are not acts of selfishness, nor do they diminish our role as advocates. In fact, prioritizing our own well-being strengthens our ability to advocate effectively. Neglecting self-care can lead to feelings of hopelessness, causing us to give up and potentially lose sight of our goals for change. Managing burnout as a social advocate includes taking various steps to prevent and cope with the exhaustion. This can include:
Identifying signs of burnout
Practicing self-care and learning to cope
Setting goals and working effectively
Seeking support
Identifying Signs of Burnout
When we can identify signs of burnout, we can effectively manage burnout. Signs that you may be experiencing burnout as a social advocate include:
Sense of dread or grief regarding our social climate's state (and future).
Feeling hopeless, pessimistic, or cynical as if the social climate will never change.
Feeling like a failure or that you are screaming into a void. Irritability and anger.
Compassion fatigue or loss of empathy. The feeling of intense fatigue or exhaustion. Social withdrawal or isolation.
Practicing Self-care
Some of the best ways to prevent and manage burnout are to practice routine self-care and engage in healthy coping strategies. This might include behaviors like:
Setting boundaries and personal limits.
Prioritizing wellness by maintaining a good sleep schedule, engaging in physical activity, and taking breaks.
Remaining connected with loved ones and avoiding any urges to self-isolate.
Adopting healthy coping strategies such as journaling.
Seeking external support such as therapy.
Avoiding unhealthy coping such as substance use.
Setting Goals
Setting goals for yourself and your advocacy work is a great way to work effectively towards social change without burning yourself out. Identify the issues most important to you and the ways in which you satisfy your desire to promote social change. Recognize that you cannot change or control everything. Focus energy on actions that are within your control. Develop realistic, tangible goals. Practice gratitude and celebrate wins (no matter how small). Revisit your goals and revise as needed.
There are times when preventing burnout is not enough, and we may find ourselves in situations where we need external help. Create a community of individuals who share common values, interests, and beliefs. Connect and collaborate with other advocates and communities working towards the same goals. Engage others in the value of advocacy. Seek professional mental health support such as individual therapy, group therapy, or psychiatric help.
Takeaways
Social advocacy refers to actions we take to promote positive social change.
Though important (and necessary work), social advocacy can be exhausting and lead to burnout, which can derail our goals for change.
To manage burnout, try identifying signs and symptoms of burnout (such as pessimism, hopelessness, or cynicism).
Making self-care a regular part of your routine and embracing healthy coping methods can be beneficial.
Creating meaningful boundaries in your relationships and getting social support might be essential to protect your well-being.
It is important to remember to set realistic goals that guide your advocacy work effectively. And don't hesitate to seek support from others when you need it – reaching out can make a huge difference!