The past few years have been historic moment after historic moment. Sometimes it’s difficult to keep up. In the midst of all the good progress we are making across the world (and of course the setbacks), it can be difficult to feel like you’re making a difference. You may be sitting in your bedroom wondering: what can I do to help other people right now?
From the climate crisis, to women’s rights, to LGBTQ+ rights, to the Black Lives Matter movement, you may not have the time or energy to go out and protest on the streets about the causes close to your heart. Recently I’ve been feeling helpless while reading the news, as it feels as if there is nothing I can do from where I am. I thought long and hard and have since compiled some small methods of activism which don’t even require you to leave your house. It’s an introvert’s dream.
- Inform yourself. The best way to be an activist is to use resources around you to gain knowledge. Whether that’s googling different campaigns to learn their motivations and aims, listening to podcasts on your way to campus, or asking your friends about their lived experience. The more you know about issues affecting our society, the better equipped you’ll be to create awareness and be an ally to those who may need it. As they say: knowledge is power.
- Sign petitions. Sometimes it can feel like petitions don’t really do much, but they are a great tool for raising awareness about an issue. Petitions have become a first port of call in fighting injustices and inciting political change, but some critics have labelled it as a form of “slacktivism” because signing a petition doesn’t commit people to any further action. However, when combined with donating to a cause or creating real action towards the petition’s goal, they can be very effective.
- Open conversations. Engaging with those you interact with, whether that’s within your home or through social media, about causes which interest you, opening you up to different perspectives. I can’t even tell you how many debates and discussions we’ve had at our dinner table, and I always seem to learn something new.
- Get involved in social media campaigns. If you’re anything like me you’re glued to your phone, so why not use it for some good! Whether it’s TikTok, Instagram or Twitter, social media is a powerful tool for activists to connect with other individuals and organisations who share their goals, and to reach new audiences who are willing to learn. However, advocacy needs to go beyond the hashtag- genuine social media activism needs to have commitment to change.
- Partake in activism courses. Using online tools can help to improve your advocacy skills. For example, Oxfam and the Open University offer a free course to help you become an effective change-maker. Another great one is Amnesty International who have lots of super helpful resources as part of their Human Rights Academy. Some of their courses are as short as 15 minutes- something to consider doing between seminars.
Although these methods of at-home-activism can be useful to implement into your life, it’s also important to take time for yourself to avoid mental burnout. In the pursuit of unravelling systemic injustices and oppression it’s easy to get lost in the rabbit hole of news articles about abuses of power around the world. Creating social, political, or economic reform can feel like it’s on your shoulders sometimes, but it absolutely isn’t. I want to remind you that your small acts of activism are absolutely enough.