Today on the blog, we welcome a guest post from VMFC volunteer, Jenna Miles. Jenna is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Board Certified Counselor with a Certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) and a specialty in Couples Counseling. She is the founder of Mile by Miles Counseling in Ashland, VA.
In today’s political climate, many of us are feeling tremendous heaviness, uncertainty, and concern. Whether you’re only reading the headlines or working tirelessly in government affairs or advocacy for social justice, the emotional, mental, and physical demands can quickly become overwhelming. The information overload, constant need for action, and the deep sense of responsibility to the cause can leave little room for rest and recovery.
But what happens when you burn out? When the desire to help others leads you to neglect yourself? The truth is, you can't pour from an empty cup. To continue fighting for change, you must first take care of yourself.
This post is for anyone who’s been pushing hard to make a difference, only to feel drained, stretched thin, and at a loss for how to continue without losing yourself in the process. It's about learning to strike a balance between your personal well-being and your commitment to your community.
The Importance of Self-Care in Community Care
When you have an altruistic desire to be an advocate, activist, or public servant, you often end up putting others first, thinking that your personal needs are secondary to the collective good. However, burnout is a real threat to change and community care. It can manifest as physical exhaustion, emotional depletion, and mental burnout, which in turn diminishes the impact you have on your cause for the community.
When you’re constantly “on,” it’s easy to forget that taking time to recharge isn’t just a
luxury—it’s a necessity. Without proper self-care, your ability to contribute meaningfully
becomes compromised, and that’s when stress and frustration take hold. When burnout sets in, even the most passionate advocates may struggle to find motivation or clarity.
Self-care isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about keeping your mind and body in optimal
condition so you can sustain the work you care about over the long haul. In fact, the more balanced you are, the more effective you become in fighting for the community.
Understanding the Dual Responsibility: Self-Care is Not Selfish
Many people today feel a deep, almost overwhelming sense of responsibility to fight for the safety and justice of their community. The stakes are high. It’s easy to feel like every waking moment must be spent advancing the cause. But here’s the truth: you cannot make a lasting impact if you neglect your own needs.
While it’s vital to care for the community, it’s equally important to care for yourself. When you take care of your mental and physical health, you’re not being selfish, you’re equipping yourself to be a more effective, compassionate, and sustainable advocate.
Think of self-care as a tool that helps you show up fully for others. Just like a marathon runner needs rest and recovery to keep running, you need time to recharge in order to stay in the race for justice, policy reform, and change.
Practical Strategies for Balancing Self-Care and Advocacy Efforts
Balancing self-care with community advocacy may sound challenging, but it is possible when you approach it thoughtfully and intentionally. Here are a few strategies to help you find that balance:
1. Time Management: Intentional Time for Rest & Intentional Time to Act
It may seem like there’s never enough time in the day to care for yourself, but making
intentional time for self-care is critical. Block out time in your calendar for activities that
recharge you—whether it’s a 15-minute meditation session, a walk outside, or simply
sitting down with a good book. Similarly, be intentional about the time spent absorbing
information and actively advocating for your cause. It is true that sometimes less can be
more working smarter not harder.
2. Set Healthy Boundaries: Learn to Say No
In advocacy, it’s easy to say yes to every meeting, every cause, and every opportunity that comes your way. However, overcommitting can quickly lead to burnout. Learn to assess what aligns best with your goals and values. You cannot effectively fight in every battle. Prioritizing your well-being means making space for rest and ensuring you’re not
stretched too thin, which sometimes means saying no.
3. Create a Support System: Surround Yourself with Understanding Likeminded
People
Fighting for social justice or navigating government affairs can be emotionally taxing, so
having a supportive network is essential. Find people who understand the challenges of
your work and can offer emotional support when needed. Whether a close friend, a
mentor, or an advocacy group like Virginia Moms For Change, having others to talk to
who are aligned with your values can lighten your load and offer encouragement when
things get tough.
4. Practice Mindfulness and Stress Reduction
Simple mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or journaling can help reduce
stress and bring a sense of calm during high-pressure moments. Consider establishing a
relationship with a therapist as another tool in stress reduction. These practices center you in the present and provide a healthy outlet for processing difficult emotions.
Reframing the Mindset: Caring for Yourself is Caring for Others
One of the most important reframes to make is that self-care isn’t a distraction from your cause, it’s part of working for the community. By finding ways to balance your personal well-being with your professional commitments, you can sustain your passion, resilience, and motivation for the long haul.
Think of self-care as an investment in your effectiveness. If you’re constantly exhausted or overwhelmed, it’s harder to bring your best self to the table. When you prioritize your well-being, you make sure you have the energy, mental clarity, and emotional resilience to do the work that matters.
Remember, you can make a lasting impact while still taking care of yourself. In fact, your well-being is an essential part of the work you do. So, take small steps each day to care for your mind, body, and spirit—and give yourself the grace to rest when needed.
Your work matters, and so do you.
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