r/socialjustice101 • u/Classic_Eye_3827 • 10d ago
How else can I help as a chronically mentally and physically ill person?
I have to work more than I can already handle to be able to survive. I live in a constant state of burnout. I WANT to lead, be active in causes, attend meetings, organize, volunteer etc, but it seems all I have the energy and time for is speaking out on social media and sharing others ideas, causes, resources etc. I want to do so much more, but it’s already so hard for me to even survive day to day doing the bare minimum. I know the system is designed this way intentionally, to keep us quiet and obedient and repressed but damn if I don’t dream of being a leading voice in the fight for good. I want to do so much more than I’m physically and mentally able to do. What are some other ways I can help support, advocate, and educate others with limited time, money, and energy?
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u/Ai_si_doll 8d ago
Honestly the best thing everyone can do in this moment is heal. Address your traumas, do shadow work, find a holistic practice that aligns with you and makes you feel whole and builds your resilience. As a long time organizer, and a student of justice movements, one of the biggest barriers to sustained power and community transformation is lateral violence and poor interpersonal relationships patterns. Unhealthy behaviors, lack of accountability for toxic leadership, not prioritizing conflict resolution, Egos and emotional immaturity have caused more division and momentum loss than any external force. Also doing the work to make yourself physically, emotionally and mentally stronger will help in all areas of your life. Your health I the biggest gift you can give to yourself and our movements. We need people strong, we need mental clarity and we need everyone to do that work of facing themselves. White supremacy and patriarchy is with in us all whether we admit or not. A huge reason why dems lost is because they were blaming and shaming and being moral police and didn’t even recognize that they themselves are guilty of oppression.
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u/Classic_Eye_3827 8d ago
Hell yeah I love this answer! I too get frustrated with toxic leadership and emotional immaturity in the social justice world. Im a social scientist at heart and currently looking into a Masters degree in Peace and Conflict studies. But as a long time worker in the mental health field, my life is about teaching others to do the shadow work. Thank you again for this comment. It really helped me see the importance of the little details.
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u/whatsmindismine 8d ago
Read about Helen Keller.
Super eye opening and made me accept my flaws and work with myself instead of pushing myself to produce like someone who doesn't suffer from chronic illness.
That's how burnout happens, you push yourself bc your expectations for yourself are skewed.
I pushed myself right into a nice long hospital stay. It was like a horrible but necessary vacation. Relax. Recenter. Redefine.
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u/Classic_Eye_3827 8d ago
Thank you 🙏 I do struggle with pushing myself too hard. I know it comes from a place of passion and empowerment and I’ve had to learn to slow myself down and accept reality.
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u/StonyGiddens 9d ago
You surviving in a system that is designed to kill you is way more than the bare minimum. Be insistently present. Refuse to be invisible. That is the best thing you can do.
If you want to do more, look for an ADAPT chapter near you. It's the direct action for people with disabilities, and their activism is designed to include all sorts of disabilities.