Self-Care Tips for Sustainable Advocacy
Talking about human trafficking can take a heavy toll on our spirits. And yet, speaking up and supporting the voices of survivors is not only empowering but vital to ensuring the respect and dignity of all people. Still, the constant emotional labor required on a daily basis for Dressember advocates and the need to regularly share triggering content with our communities can be so overwhelming.
Even the most impassioned and dedicated advocates are human and have limits. Many struggle with activist burnout, a state of chronic stress that leads to hopelessness and detachment. We know you are busy out there changing the world, but in order to sustain your advocacy, you have to take time for yourself. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to combat burnout and give yourself the self-love you deserve.
7 Self-Care Tips for Sustainable Advocacy
Step away if you need to. If you need to take a break from the Dressember challenge, that’s okay. Taking steps to guard your mental health isn’t selfish or taking away from your advocacy. Wear sweatpants for a day or two and come back to dresses when you’re ready. Limit social media and the news - it will all be there when you get back. Sometimes taking a break from thinking about the hurts of the world is one of the best things we can do to address it. Constantly triggering yourself is not a prerequisite for advocacy. You have permission to unplug.
Take care of your physical body. So much of our mental health is connected to our physical wellness. Before you burnout, your body will whisper its needs, so it’s important to make sure you are being proactive with your physical health. Eat nourishing foods, move your body, get adequate sleep, and stay hydrated. It can be easy to forget to do some of these things during the busyness of the upcoming holidays and attention you’re giving to the Dressember challenge, but prevention is much easier than treatment.
Find a community of support. Reach out to friends and family and tell them what you need to feel supported and don’t be afraid to make an appointment with a counselor. It’s important to have a space to discuss YOU and not only your anti-trafficking advocacy. Letting others know you are feeling overwhelmed and asking for help is plan A, not plan B or a last resort. Try to trust other people’s abilities to support you.
Honor your feelings. Make time to sit with your emotions. The topic of human trafficking is heavy and can bring emotions to the surface that you didn’t know were there. Emotions are not illogical; you can cry, laugh, get angry, or grieve. You don’t have to suppress your emotions. Rather, accepting our emotions allows us to access the compassion, strength, resourcefulness, and grace we need to show up and create impact.
Do things that make you happy. You are a person beyond your advocacy and it’s not selfish to take breaks and do things you enjoy. Go on that hike, take a road trip, or sign up for that boxing class. Read that book that’s been sitting on your shelf for months, dance in your kitchen, or treat yourself to your favorite dessert. Fill yourself up with whatever lightens your load. Remember, you are human first and an advocate second. You deserve the time and care you so generously give to others. The revolution needs your joy, too.
Set boundaries. Activist guilt is real but it’s important to give yourself permission to say no when you need to. It’s okay to stay in instead of going out with your friends. It’s okay to not post a photo of yourself in a dress everyday. It’s okay to take a break from talking about human trafficking. Instead of feeling guilty for saying no, be proud for knowing your worth and what you need in the moment.
Know your limits. You don’t have to do all of it all the time; you can only do your best. Have a list of other resources and social media accounts you can direct people to for education purposes and regular updates. Our new documentary is a great place to start. Remember, you are not solely responsible for educating everyone; this is an interdependent process. You don’t have to know every human trafficking fact, watch every single video, or read every single post.
The fight to spread awareness and end human trafficking is a movement, not just a moment. Creating systemic change begins within, and taking care of yourself allows you to show up stronger and with more mental clarity to take action. This movement needs leaders and world-changers that are in this marathon for the long-haul, and you can’t fight the good fight while you are burnt out and overwhelmed.
Self-care is a form of resistance, too. By taking care of ourselves and refusing to burnout, we are standing against the oppressors. We need to be nourished. We need sleep. We need mental breaks. Let’s bring our best selves to this fight.
Take care of yourselves, Dressember advocates. We need you.
The Dressember Network is made up of 20 organizations that support programs in the following impact areas: advocacy, prevention, intervention, and survivor empowerment. When you support Dressember, you help dismantle trafficking holistically and in a way that prioritizes survivor needs and voices. Ready to join us? Register to become an advocate or make a donation today.
About the Author
Hannah Blair has a Bachelor’s in Sociology and is working on an MA in Social Justice and Human Rights, as well as her certification in Biblical counseling. As a survivor herself, her career end goal is to work with other trafficking survivors. She has a background in marketing and communications, social media management, and blog writing. She tells her story at churches and other events and has assisted with trainings for South Alabama law enforcement agencies. Hannah is a single mom to a rambunctious toddler who keeps her on her toes! She enjoys running, cooking, and most importantly, napping.