Your Personal Revolution
Rest, Resist, Repeat
I started this Substack energized about the ways we as individuals can reshape the world into a kinder, gentler, more equitable place. We the people, have the numbers, the power, and the collective conviction to facilitate change. Sure, many of us feel like we are being ground into submission, distraction, and disillusion—but the veil is lifting and it’s getting harder for the oligarchs and the system to bamboozle us. We’ve seen through the whole shebang and the jig is up.
We are at a critical inflection point. We’ve had enough rights stripped away, social benefits eroded, and protections yanked out from under us. Waiting for anything else to fall apart before taking personal action might be too little too late.
I’ve written about the power of voting with your dollars and how every small shift in your social and consumer behavior matters. Whether you are brand new to the revolution or have been fighting the good fight for years, if you have been making changes that defund our oppression, you are probably exhausted.
Exhaustion looks different at different stages of the fight for justice. Newer folks get overwhelmed quickly because of the sheer volume of options, causes to support, actions to take, and violations levied against us. The long-haulers are worn down by the illusion of scarcity in our victories, when in fact it is the small victories that add up and eventually overwhelm aspects of the oppressive regime and tip the scales in our favor.
Never forget that we outnumber those who attack our freedom by orders of magnitude. As long as all the equity-minded souls keep at it, victory is inevitable. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always feel that way.
We must honor the exhaustion and allow each other and ourselves the grace to rest and resume as we are able. Please don’t throw in the towel. Do not give up, but do rest. The gap between this newsletter and the last comes care of the aforementioned rest. I didn’t know I needed it until I was in it. My version of rest is sometimes far too productive to honor the rest-is-resistance movement, so my body decided to shut me down for a spell. Message received.
That said, I cannot overemphasize the urgency of self-care is at this time. You must not neglect your own wellbeing for the sake of the revolution, or for the sake of anything or anyone else for that matter. We do not need martyrs. Working yourself to exhaustion when you can ask for help is not righteous.
What you do for your wellbeing during intense societal upheaval is revolutionary. It’s not about martyrdom, it’s about balance. Leaning too far to either extreme can be undesirable. Those who are highly persecuted and in danger need to privilege their safety above all, but the rest of us need to show up when and as we are able.
So by all means, do the shadow work, heal your childhood wounds, delve into you past traumas with the support of healers, therapists, your spirit team—whatever it takes to piece you together enough to fight the next battle. Put in your time wherever your front lines take you, then retreat, recover, rest, and heal as your mind, body, and spirit require.
This is where community comes in and one of the reasons we must urgently identify and nurture our community bonds. I write this as a massively disapointing pice of legislation passed through Congress, gutting Medicaid and SNAP (healthcare and food subsidies) for millions of the poorest Americans. When the government fails us, we must support each other. Local action is critical now and arguably, always, as the US has never adequately nor equally protected its residents.
If you don’t know where to start:
Volunteer - Show up for local nonprofits, community organizations, and neighborhood events. Groups that are already working on these issues often need more volunteers.
Donate food or money- Hunger is going to increase with the changes underway. Donate to a local food pantry. Organize a local nonperishable food drive. If you don’t have time to volunteer or donate food, find a local charitable organization and contribute what you can. No donation is too small when you act locally.
Support local businesses - Keeping money circulating in your neighborhoods can keep people out of poverty. The same money we spend on heartless corporations that cut DEI, paid leave, and medical benefits can help local shopkeepers thrive and increase the wellbeing of your neighbors instead of enriching billionaires and shareholders who lack scruples.
Educate yourself so that you understand the systems and structures that perpetuate poverty. Only by understanding can you break the cycle and intentionally become part of the solution. Research mutual aid and learn how you can get involved.
See you in the next round. As alway, we got this.
If you need a pick-me-up as you balance rest with responsibility, I launched a new course to assist you on your journey! It’s called The Empowerment Protocol: Reclaiming Your Joy. You’ll get over 2 hours of step-by-step guidance from me that will help you break debilitating patterns and embrace the joy that is your birthright. It includes everything from tools to regulate your nervous system to a list of simple daily habits that can drastically improve your quality of life and emotional wellbeing. You can enroll in my self-paced course for $44.44 for a limited time.
Thank you