Dealing with burn-out and protest-related stress

[ellipsis]

I am sure I am not the only person feeling this. So much is happening and being as devoted as I am, I feel like I am stretching myself too thin, between my regular organizing efforts, work, my girlfriend and dog, and NOW occupy stuff happening all the time, i am running on too little sleep and expending more calories than i can afford to replace.

on top of this, I was arrested this summer and lots of my comrades have been getting arrested and assaulted by police, one good comrade is now facing deportation.

My problem is that because I am so dedicated, I will continue to take on more tasks. But I am burning out a little too.

That is how I am feeling.

How do people deal with the stresses of constant struggle? How can I keep up momentum, personally and through contributions to the movement, but also know my limits, keep myself in check?

I know this is kinda a dupe thread, but given the rise of the "occupy" movement, i feel it is newly relevant.

[Zav]

I know what you mean. As much as you might want/need to, you don't have to take on the whole world. Take a break.
It helps if you reduce stress in other areas of your life to leave more energy for activism. Be sure to eat properly. Get enough exercise. Loosen your routines and play often. Paint, grow a garden, whittle, embroider, or do some other hobby. Most importantly, take naps.

[Art Vandelay]

To tell you what I was told, before my anarchist convictions, by the first organization I approached, do not stretch yourself to thin. As a member of the militant working class it is best to do what is best for your class, even if that means taking a step back from politics for a moment of reflection. Also not to sound like a dick, but the class victory of our people will not be determined by you, but our class, most likely regardless of you effort and politics but by the material conditions of our reality. Just enjoy your life man, as someone who should heed my own advice, believe me.

[RED DAVE]

Burn-out is real and dangerous. The problem with burn-out is that we keep working just as hard, but we accomplish less; thus actually damaging the causes we're working for.

Prioritize. Take a break. The revolution isn't happening before the first of the year.

RED DAVE

[PhoenixAsh]

IF you keep going like this you will be taken out of the stuggle for a long, long time. Burn outs take months and perhaps more than a year to overcome.

I did not take enough time in 2008 when I had my burn out. Stayed home a month. Had to deal with an abusive relationship so could not find rest and then went back to work. Now...I still have the effects of that stupidity.

Slow down. Take your own health at heart first.

[Parvati]

Because I'm a maoist freak, I will give you a Mao's point of view (just kidding but the tip is good) :
Take a rubber band, stretches to the maximum and leave it like that for weeks, it will break.
Take another one stretch it and let it rest and do it again and again, it will not break and will even be able to stretch more than the first time.
There must be moments of tension and relaxation time

I think that's why a party (or an organization) is a good way to deal with stress - you generally know what will happen during the next year in case of organizational tasks and events and you've got comrades to share the time of implication in the masses struggles that arrives.

By the way, I also think that things like Occupy Together takes an ENORMOUS amount of energy to organize daily life and not a lot of place for politics. Regarding my situation in Montreal, the major part of the militant movement (composed in majority of anarchist people) spend the major part of their time in organizing details like this rather than to do politics. I think that sometimes it's necessary, but in a lot of cases, you just loose a lot of energy...

[The Douche]

Sometimes you have to take time for yourself, the people you work with should understand that. And you need to be confident in them, and know that they are capable of taking care of the work even if you're not around so much for a little while.

Burnout is dangerous, I ended up in the army partially because of being burnt out on activism/let down by people who were supposed to be as committed as me.

[ellipsis]

Can't stop now.... winter is coming... must occupy everything!

But i will slow down an re-prioritize.

[ellipsis]

Also therapeutic farming this weekend.

[Sentinel]

I totally feel you, and we don't even have a mass movement like OWS going on here atm; I'm just active and also work fulltime. For some of us it's very hard to draw the line and say no to stuff etc.

[Sasha]

But i will slow down an re-prioritize.

please do, i pushed myself beyond an actual burn-out 3 years ago and i'm still not 100% by far

my problem, and i have seen this very often with activists so i wouldnt be suprised if the same goes for you, was that i only had 2 gears; 200% and 0%, and nothing in between, its important for people like us to learn to accept that even when you give only 80 to 90 % you are still doing more than the vast mayority of humanity who paddle along through life.
so yeah, what that Mao dude said about elastic bands..

[Ele'ill]

I am sure I am not the only person feeling this. So much is happening and being as devoted as I am, I feel like I am stretching myself too thin, between my regular organizing efforts, work, my girlfriend and dog, and NOW occupy stuff happening all the time, i am running on too little sleep and expending more calories than i can afford to replace.

on top of this, I was arrested this summer and lots of my comrades have been getting arrested and assaulted by police, one good comrade is now facing deportation.

My problem is that because I am so dedicated, I will continue to take on more tasks. But I am burning out a little too.

That is how I am feeling.

How do people deal with the stresses of constant struggle? How can I keep up momentum, personally and through contributions to the movement, but also know my limits, keep myself in check?

I know this is kinda a dupe thread, but given the rise of the "occupy" movement, i feel it is newly relevant.

I laughed in the real world here when I saw you post this because I'm going through this. As I said in another post I've done 28 hour stretches of no sleep followed by an additional 8 hour work shift several times in which I'd go back to the apartment sleep for four hours and start it over again. The nights nothing was going on I'd stay up reading or writing. I felt obliged to walk down to the camp and just watch and listen to what was going on and of course attend the GA's.

I think some people are prone to getting really excited and getting really involved which burns them out- other people may have mental health related issues which these demonstration/organizing events trigger a lengthy 'up' cycle. I have learned to identify 'up' cycle stuff and do my best to take a walk away from the events. Yesterday was the N17 national day of action against banks and while I did have to work a full shift I was off around 1pm which was still relatively early. I talked with several close comrades and decided to take the day (and perhaps the next several days) off from the Occupy stuff despite getting those news updates from indymedia on what was going on *RIOT POLICE PUSHING PEOPLE INTO STREET, SPRAY DEPLOYED, BANKS SHUT DOWN, BRIDGE CLOSED*. Know that this is OK.

I have decided that during these 'up cycles' it's ok to take the day off but if you're still feeling productive to make a banner or buy other agitprop/art related stuff. It's relaxing and not stressful, it's productive towards a passion and it still shows solidarity with those who ARE marching.

[brigadista]

running does it for me i find it a great stress reliever and it helps with sleep problems

[ellipsis]

I laughed in the real world here when I saw you post this because I'm going through this. As I said in another post I've done 28 hour stretches of no sleep followed by an additional 8 hour work shift several times in which I'd go back to the apartment sleep for four hours and start it over again. The nights nothing was going on I'd stay up reading or writing. I felt obliged to walk down to the camp and just watch and listen to what was going on and of course attend the GA's.

Wow, I haven't been doing anything that crazy. My job is real low stress and I usually sleep at least 5-7 hours. Obviously each person has their own limits and abilities, I know this is not a pissing contest. :D

TGIF. Done with meetings until Tuesday. Farm tomorrow, possibly raining march tomorrow.

It's going to be OK.

[Ele'ill]

Those long stretches were the only way I could fit in the organizing stuff with other stuff going on- that wasn't necessarily 36 hours of organizing.


So how do you all deal with the let down of mobilizations dying off- or lengthy lulls in between actions? That's the hardest part for me. Luckily I'm moving in with someone very soon so we can open up and engage in projects together which will probably help.

[ellipsis]

Lulls? Ive been going semi nonstop since opBART

[Rocky Rococo]

It's OK to step back and let go for a time. I'm in my 50s, I've been through the cycle of action, exhaustion and burnout several times, I've done this the right way and the wrong ways and what I've learned is this.

Particularly if you've been involved in the time-constrained elements of your local action, it's important to recognize the warning signs coming on, and don't be embarrassed to share them with your comrades. If they're really comrades, they'll understand, they'll recognize that everyone needs a break, work out a timeline in advance that allows you to step back and others to pick up the threads you've been carrying. If you don't that won't stop your burn-out from happening, it'll just mean you'll reach the point where you're suddenly dropping the ball, and no preparation has been made for it. That's the only mistake you can make. It's no moral judgment on you that you need some weeks or months or whatever it takes to decompress, to deal with the parts of life you've been giving short shrift. Avoid the temptation to keep your finger in the pot while you're taking the time off. Take it off, completely.

When you're rested, refreshed, restored, if you've made a smooth, prepared organized transition out, you'll be welcomed back with delight.

[Jimmie Higgins]

Yeah all these years that I wished that movements would build their own momentum and not retreat so easily... when I'd imagine that, I somehow didn't imagine all the lack of sleep it would cause.

Really, prioritize, take some time to do fuck-all and regain focus. We are in it for the long-haul and so it's better to take a step back for a week and let people you work with in the movement know that you will take a few days easy to recover. They will understand and we should also be mindful of our allies and remind them to take care of themselves too so that we can continue fighting as a movement and not end up burning out individually.

[ellipsis]

Just got done with three days of camping in one of the east bays fine regional parks, I feel so refreshed.

[Rusty Shackleford]

Can't stop now.... winter is coming... must occupy everything!

But i will slow down an re-prioritize.
slow down and re prioritize. no person can do everything

make a list of priorities for things you are involved in. leave the bottom ones for spare time, and only if you want to. but dont feel pressure, especially if other people can take care of it just as well.

i kind of have to do the same thing right now as i adjust to having a full time job.

[Smyg]

I pretty much hit burnout in my political activism not long ago, and decided to quit it altogether - not permanently, of course - to deal with personal issues and studies.

[Ele'ill]

Nerves. Shaky and feeling sick. Music helps this a lot, right now I'm listening to really amazing music and it makes me feel alive and lets me appreciate what humans are capable of.

[tachosomoza]

Nerves. Shaky and feeling sick. Music helps this a lot, right now I'm listening to really amazing music and it makes me feel alive and lets me appreciate what humans are capable of.

This. Nothing like some good Hendrix, Doors, or other classic goodies to get yourself right. Remember, you're only one man in a broad movement. You can't bring anything down by yourself, and you sure as hell can't do it with a burnt out body and mind.

[Leftsolidarity]

I try to find at least 1 night where I can be alone and do whatever I want, which after being worn out is usually nothing.

A long shower, a nice poop (not even joking on that. pooping is nice after you've been stressed), a nap, a brain-numbing movie. Or maybe just spend a relaxing day with your girlfriend.

Then you jump back in and repeat the cycle. It kind of sucks.