TLDR: The world has some really awful things in it and we need people to keep talking about it and trying to fix it. But we also need to be more understanding of what people can and can't do and make helping more approachable, less all or nothing. We need to maintain spaces that are free from talking about all the terrible things so people can recover and take breaks to keep from getting burned out. You aren't a bad person for not being able to deal with all the terrible things.
There are a lot of terrible things happening in the world rn. And lots of people are doing whatever they can to help, and won't let the world ignore the fact that terrible things are happening. And that's great, we can't stop talking about them, we can't fix anything by ignoring it.
But not everyone can do that. Not everyone has time, energy, money, space, spoons ect to even get through their day and take care of themselves. I see in a lot of activism spaces the idea that if you aren't a part of the solution you're part of the problem.
If you are a person who still cares about the issue but just can't do anything about us it can create the feeling that if you don't do more you are a bad person. That Your lack of energy makes you a bad person and it's your fault the world is so fucked up, because people like you you don't do anything about all the terrible things.
Now not all places are like that, and some are certainly worse than others. But I don't think that most people there realize that that mindset is only going to hurt their cause. People will burn out, people will be sick of feeling guilty for just doing their best and it will drive people away. 'If doing everything I can do still makes me a terrible person then why do I even bother'. It makes your cause seem daunting to join and will push away people who might otherwise try to help. It makes the cause look far more 'extreme' and unpalatable for the masses
The best thing to get more people involved in is making it as easy as possible. Make starting out more accessible and be realistic with what you ask from people, if they're there they want the same thing as you don't push them away. And if people need to reduce or stop what they're doing to take care of themselves, let them. There's a reason they tell you to put your own oxygen mask on first.
Stop forcing every influencer and content creator to address every terrible thing. Stop asking everyone to address terrible things. Keep people talking about them, but also keep safe spaces so people can relax. You can't be stressed about all the terrible things all the time. We need spaces without all the terrible things so we can recover the energy and brain power to deal with all the terrible things. If someone's break, time to relax and escape from the stress of the real world is filled with all the terrible things, it's not going to do anything but stress them out. It's not going to bring people to the cause.
Keep talking about them, don't let the world forget about it. But leave spaces for people to escape to.
Just because a influencer or CC doesn't address something, doesn't mean they don't care. But they are people too, all the things about burnout and energy apply to them too. Even more so in some cases because they know that their words have power and they can't make a mistake. If they can deal with all the terrible things, awesome. If they can't, that should be fine too. And if they want to be that safe escape, let them.
And to all the people care but can't do anything. Who want to help but don't have the energy to. Who care but can't keep hearing about all the terrible things because of anxiety, or overwhelm, or it's just too terrible. You are allowed to do nothing. If you can do something to help, without causing harm to yourself by all means do it. But if you can't. If you have to block the terrible things because hearing about all them is causing too many issues and you need to focus on yourself and take care of yourself. Block it. You aren't a bad person for putting yourself and your own health (both mental and physical) first.
And if you think there's a problem with someone putting their own needs first I think you should step back and reevaluate your goals. Because asking people to destroy themselves to help others is a net negative. It doesn't do good for anyone. And I don't think you want that.
theartofmadeline
origamiaround
dailybridgerton
izzy806
germansingergirl
stormborns
turnnoffyourmind
