by Michele Magar
As the post-debate debate over Joe Biden’s viability as a candidate continues to drag on — and as the implications of the Supreme Court’s horrendous presidential immunity decision fully sink in — it’s easy to become overwhelmed, depressed and immobilized. Except don’t.
Rather than move to the sidelines, it’s now even more critical to find some political action you can join. It’s a healthy and productive way to turn despair into effective advocacy alongside like-minded people.
But, as we inch closer to November, it’s also important to remember to prioritize self-care, so you can maximize your impact.
No one questions the emphasis athletes place on self-care. The same reasoning applies to us. Right now, we are “in training mode” for a marathon, not a sprint. There may be times between now and Election Day when everything we’re fighting for will seem doomed. But we can immunize ourselves and our fellow activists from becoming demoralized if we take some time to “recharge”: to sleep, eat well, exercise, and seek some support. Audre Lorde said it best, and that’s why I keep her famous quote on my refrigerator and no longer feel guilty when I take time away from advocacy to rest, exercise, and maximize my impact as an activist.
