Thank you for this thoughtful article. We all have different life rhythms and have to move mindfully while caring for ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually in this political environment. Civic engagement should be restorative and sustainable- not guilt ridden and depleting. I needed this reminder today- and will look forward to reading your next articles!
After illness kept me from joining this weekend's protest and feeling guilty when I saw a photo of a 102-year-old man at a protest, I needed this. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and question whether anything I do is working. I've been scattered with my involvement and engagement but within that, I've engaged some with my local/neighborhood organizations and community and can say with certainty that this is where I feel the most energized. Your article helped me see how scattered I've been, and it made me stop to think about where I need to more intentionally focus my engagement. Thank you for the insight!
A 102-year-old at a protest is inspiring, but it doesn't define your (our) worth! Thank you for reading! I hope this and future articles bring you joy/comfort.
I’m interested in trying out the survey you mentioned. I’m currently in a health journey where I’m trying to make more sustainable choices, and it makes sense that civic engagement could be the same way!
Yes! I have yet to find what my consistent activism looks like. All in and not in at all feels awful. This is helping me think through my capacity and community support.
Yes to all of this! I’ve really struggled to find my place in civic engagement in the past. I couldn’t find the right organization to connect with and volunteered with whichever org would take me, just so I could feel like I was part of something. I ended up getting a volunteer of the year award for a nonprofit that didn’t match my goals and passion 🤦🏻♀️
On the flip side, I’ve found places that are better matches but they take too much of me. I burned out from working full time and serving on 4 boards (🤦🏻♀️ again).
Whoops! It really is like health and wellness. I’m working on boundaries and not taking the “quick fix”!
Oh my! re: the Volunteer of the Year Award... lol... congrats?? :D
Also, four boards!!! WOW. Your burnout makes total sense. Boundaries aren't selfish - they're strategic. Thanks so much for reading and I look forward to hearing if future content is helpful.
This definitely resonates with me, and the way you describe civic engagement as a way of life to be done according to our passions within a timeframe and pace that works for us and is energizing instead of depleting and overwhelming sounds wonderful to me. I struggle with an almost constant sense of not doing enough to make a difference, which can lead to feeling burned out and defeated no matter how many events I attend, emails I write, donations I make. I want to make civic engagement part of my daily life but in a way that doesn’t feel so overwhelming. Thanks for your post!
Oh my heavens, yes. I am managing by focusing what time and resources I have into one or two main causes and hoping that others who feel passionate about other very pressing needs and concerns are doing their work. I don't know this is the only answer, but it is working better for me. As the mother of two LGBTQIA+ young adult children, I am stepping up to volunteer the bulk of what time and energy I have for transgender healthcare rights and other LGBTQIA+ issues with my secondary concern being global warming/green energy with my own personal subcategory of native plants, which keeps me working outside and helps my health and wellness.
This is exactly what civic wellness looks like - focused energy on what matters to you, trusting others to handle their pieces. And native plants as wellness? AMAZING. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Oh Lisa! First, thanks for reading. I can totally relate to how overwhelming it is. I hope my articles continue to bring a little light. ❤️ stay well, we need you.
Thank you for this thoughtful article. We all have different life rhythms and have to move mindfully while caring for ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually in this political environment. Civic engagement should be restorative and sustainable- not guilt ridden and depleting. I needed this reminder today- and will look forward to reading your next articles!
Yes! Civic engagement should restore us, not deplete us. So glad this landed when you needed it.
Yes! This resonates so much. Please keep going with this train of thought. I’m glad I found you.
Thank you!!
After illness kept me from joining this weekend's protest and feeling guilty when I saw a photo of a 102-year-old man at a protest, I needed this. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and question whether anything I do is working. I've been scattered with my involvement and engagement but within that, I've engaged some with my local/neighborhood organizations and community and can say with certainty that this is where I feel the most energized. Your article helped me see how scattered I've been, and it made me stop to think about where I need to more intentionally focus my engagement. Thank you for the insight!
A 102-year-old at a protest is inspiring, but it doesn't define your (our) worth! Thank you for reading! I hope this and future articles bring you joy/comfort.
I’m interested in trying out the survey you mentioned. I’m currently in a health journey where I’m trying to make more sustainable choices, and it makes sense that civic engagement could be the same way!
First, thanks for reading. Second, here it is: https://civicassessment.sophiafifner.com/
Honest feedback totally welcomed.
Yes! I have yet to find what my consistent activism looks like. All in and not in at all feels awful. This is helping me think through my capacity and community support.
the all-in/not-in-at-all cycle is totally exhausting! You're already doing the most important work by thinking about your actual capacity. Love it!
Yes to all of this! I’ve really struggled to find my place in civic engagement in the past. I couldn’t find the right organization to connect with and volunteered with whichever org would take me, just so I could feel like I was part of something. I ended up getting a volunteer of the year award for a nonprofit that didn’t match my goals and passion 🤦🏻♀️
On the flip side, I’ve found places that are better matches but they take too much of me. I burned out from working full time and serving on 4 boards (🤦🏻♀️ again).
Whoops! It really is like health and wellness. I’m working on boundaries and not taking the “quick fix”!
Oh my! re: the Volunteer of the Year Award... lol... congrats?? :D
Also, four boards!!! WOW. Your burnout makes total sense. Boundaries aren't selfish - they're strategic. Thanks so much for reading and I look forward to hearing if future content is helpful.
This definitely resonates with me, and the way you describe civic engagement as a way of life to be done according to our passions within a timeframe and pace that works for us and is energizing instead of depleting and overwhelming sounds wonderful to me. I struggle with an almost constant sense of not doing enough to make a difference, which can lead to feeling burned out and defeated no matter how many events I attend, emails I write, donations I make. I want to make civic engagement part of my daily life but in a way that doesn’t feel so overwhelming. Thanks for your post!
That 'not doing enough' feeling is so real. You're describing exactly why we need sustainable practices instead of guilt-based activism.
Oh my heavens, yes. I am managing by focusing what time and resources I have into one or two main causes and hoping that others who feel passionate about other very pressing needs and concerns are doing their work. I don't know this is the only answer, but it is working better for me. As the mother of two LGBTQIA+ young adult children, I am stepping up to volunteer the bulk of what time and energy I have for transgender healthcare rights and other LGBTQIA+ issues with my secondary concern being global warming/green energy with my own personal subcategory of native plants, which keeps me working outside and helps my health and wellness.
This is exactly what civic wellness looks like - focused energy on what matters to you, trusting others to handle their pieces. And native plants as wellness? AMAZING. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Oh Lisa! First, thanks for reading. I can totally relate to how overwhelming it is. I hope my articles continue to bring a little light. ❤️ stay well, we need you.