Fuck Yeah Self-Care!

Jan. 15, 2012 at 12:53pm with 26 notes

Reblogged from becomingunapologeticallyme

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. ~Author Unknown

Most folks think of self care and think about long bubble baths and relaxing massages. Although these are definitively a part of a self care routine (if these activities actually relax you), I think there are some much tougher paradigms around self care to struggle with. I believe that the basis of self care is learning that:
    -You are not the cause, but you are a part of the cause. There is a history of folks who came before you and there’s a future of folks who will come after.
    -Your self worth is not wrapped up in the successes and failures of the fight.

    -Your self worth is not wrapped up in the whether or not you get a thank you.

    -You are enough with or without the fight.

I hope this doesn’t stop you from reading the rest of this article. I am NOT undervaluing the work of the individual or the reality that individuals can and do change the world. I’m asking a question about the value of the weigh of the world on their shoulders, self sacrificing martyrdom pathos when that paradigm more often leads to the burned out, jaded reality that many of us who work to change the world struggle with everyday. Perhaps we start by being gentler with ourselves and each other, we can treasure the small victories when they come our way and use them to fuel the fire.

I’ve worked in the field of anti-sexual and domestic violence work for a relatively short time, about six years but I’m already struggling with the issue of burnout. I’m surrounded by it. I hear it seeping into the words of my colleagues, my volunteers, the allied professionals I work with, even the students I work with who are just beginning their journey.

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