BURNOUT IS STILL...
on a lot of our minds. It's a topic of continued conversation, pain, and distraction.
We often write in this newsletter about how small things contribute to larger change. In an essential way, this is a philosophy for nurturing hope. It says, yes, your contribution matters, but it also says, no, you do not have to destroy yourself to make a difference.
Lately it's the latter that has felt most perplexing, even though the 'how' of avoiding overwhelm or burnout is wrapped up in the same philosophy: make it small, incremental, sustainable, possible. But there is another key to understanding that seems to be missing here, and it relates to the overwhelm.
About a week ago, we were captivated by a New York Times Sunday op ed on mental health by Huw Green. It would be an injustice to the overall article to quote only a portion of it, but suffice to say that it got us thinking about how the concept of one's 'everyday' mental health is so often put at odds with making those small, continual contributions to community efforts. In other words, when we are struggling, the 'extra' things we do to extend ourselves toward bigger struggles fall by the wayside, because they seem counter to the rest or the break that we need.
It might seem that forming a habit around your fight for systemic change is the answer...make it mindless so that it will no longer be taxing. But we find ourselves wondering if it's not about mindlessness, after all, but a change of mindset. From thinking about your equilibrium or balance as something that can be tipped over the edge by putting energy into your community...to understanding how that community engagement provides balance, and nurtures certain aspects of your mental health, even when it may mean sacrificing other things.
It's important to us, on individual and collective levels, to clarify that we are not dismissing or diminishing the very realness of mental health and mental illness.
It is equally important that we state: Neither mental health, nor mental illness, excuse antisemitism (or racism, bigotry, misogyny). Widespread oppression always starts with dehumanization. Dehumanizing always starts with language. Brené Brown reminds us that "We are all responsible for recognizing it, stopping it, and holding people accountable for dehumanizing language and actions."
For those who are not quite at the end of your rope, consider whether there is a small step you can take toward change that makes your rope feel more secure, rather than less. To start, Liz Kleinrock reminds us of tangible things non-Jews can do to support the Jewish community and combat antisemitism.
And for those with no rope left to give, we wish you an opportunity for rest.
In community,
Tay + Dor
photo by William Trevaskis for GFJ Stories
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