Friday, October 12th was the date of UMKC’s second annual Educate-Organize-Advocate conference. I’m telling you this now so that you can go ahead and put it on your calendar for next year. With a nationally-recognized keynote speaker, over a dozen sessions about social justice issues and advocacy, AND free breakfast and lunch, I was shocked to see a measly student turnout.
Keynote speaker Dr. Carol Anderson, the author of White Rage and One Person, No Vote, began by posing the question “What is destroying our democracy?” The short answer – voter suppression. For the long answer, PLEASE read these books and watch her interview with Trevor Noah on The Daily Show.
What I want to focus on and share with you now is a fantastic panel at the conference, titled “Stand Up, Fight Back: Community Organizers for Racial and Economic Justice,” where six local grassroots organizers shared their experiences and advice.
These are people who have dedicated their lives to pursuing progress in social justice. They represent organizations like One Struggle KC, StandUp KC, and Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). As you can imagine, they lead pretty stressful, busy, and chaotic lives.
If you plan to pursue a social justice career, or if you are just an average college student also trying to master self-care, carry on and read some of the tips that they suggested:
1. Take care of your physical health.
This can mean different things for different people, but one of the speakers mentioned how he quit smoking. He said that he realized it was important for him to take care of his physical health so that he could stick around for a long time. He could not continue the important work he was doing if he did not take care of his physical health first.
The same goes for you.
2. Know that it is okay to take time for yourself.
Take mental health days. Sick days do not just apply to your physical health. If you are a campus leader and feel like you cannot take a day off because the work will not get done otherwise, take the advice of these leaders. 1) Trust your people to make things happen even when you are not there. If you do not trust your peers to make progress without you, that probably warrants another conversation. 2) Remember that the work will still be there.
If you need to take some time, take some time.
3. Set boundaries in high-stress situations.
This can be especially difficult to master, but it is especially important. Two of the speakers gave examples of getting calls late at night and still picking up the phone, trying to help. It was exhausting and relentless so after a while, they both decided that they would not take those calls in the middle of the night anymore.
As a college student, this applies to you too. Think of a situation you are in right now that is stressing. you. out. Now ask yourself what boundaries you can set to alleviate some of that stress. For me, it was silencing my Outlook email application on my phone so that I would stop responding to work emails after hours. That is a boundary I consciously set to reduce my stress from work.
Set boundaries, and stick to them.
4. Talk through your challenges, and go to therapy.
If you are going through a rough time, find someone you trust and work through those feelings. Talk through your challenges, and as one of the speakers said, “Go to therapy.” She encouraged everyone to go through counseling, no matter what circumstances they are currently in. UMKC does offer some free counseling services so do not feel afraid to seek help.
UMKC Counseling Services: 816-235-1635
5. DO NOT feel guilty for prioritizing self-care.
You cannot take care of anyone if you do not take care of yourself first. In terms of your work, involvement, social life, courses, anything – you will not be able to do what you need to (or do it well) if you are not in a good place first.
Especially when you are overwhelmed, take a minute to prioritize your own self-care. You will likely return to the task with a fresh perspective, feeling rejuvenated and creative, rather than dejected and drained.
Taking care of yourself is NOT selfish. It is necessary.
6. Laugh, and remember to have fun!
Some of the best ways to participate in self-care involve having fun! Set aside some time to be by yourself or go out with friends. One of the speakers brought up a sex conference she attended this past month. Find your sex conference.
Personally, I always enjoy grabbing a Happy Hour Sonic drink, going to my favorite store, and browsing by myself for a few hours to de-stress. Find a space, whether it’s every day or once a month, where you can have some fun, let loose, and laugh.
Bubble baths. Sex conferences. Sonic drinks.