Blog

by Georgia Luckhurst

Exacerbated stress at the start of a New Year feels like a universal thing.  The idea of an untainted, fresh start often becomes an opportunity to do one’s self down as the media hits us at full force with pressure to change our diet, head to the gym, change job or over think our life.  If that weren’t enough, with friends, family and sometimes complete strangers deciding it’s their duty to criticize our decisions – whether they be to make resolutions or not – it can seem daunting and impossible to navigate.

All of this new year, post-holiday stress combined with the ever-moving, every-changing state of activism makes this time of year especially crucial for making sure that we aren’t damaging to our personal health and happiness. Learning how to watch out for one’s individual well-being is crucial. The SPARK girls have been chatting among ourselves about what we do when it all gets on top of us and pulled together to discuss our favorite ways to unwind and refresh – here are some of our ideas!

1) Feeling stressed about a big activist project you’re going to tackle in 2014? Yas says to talk with other experienced activists.  It’s always reassuring to know you aren’t the only one going though whatever level of emotion or ennui you’re wrestling.  Knowing you are’t entirely alone is the means by which we can search for solutions and reach out for help, so sharing how you’re feeling with the activists you trust is most definitely recommended.  If you don’t know any other activists, join a Twitter discussion to seek advice from your favorite activist tweeters (like the TYFA!), or consider joining our SPARK Action Squad, a group of girls & allies with close ties to the SPARKteam, all working on amazing projects and of all different ages!  If you want to get involved, shoot us an email at sparkteam @ sparksummit dot com.

2) Calliope says: “fight bears.  In all seriousness, do something creative that’s totally not related to activist work.  Create something with your experiences and weirdness – it helps a lot.  If you like painting, paint; if you like reading then try heading to your local library.  Sometimes the only way to bring back passion o the activism you’re currently so diesnchanted with is to spend some time away from it and remind yourself there are good, fun things in the world.”

3) Alternatively, don’t do anything too mentally strenuous at all.  Just have fun!  Dance and sing and listen toyour favourite music as loud as you want (preferably without deafening everyone else in the vicinity, though).  Give your critical mind a rest and invest some time in being as silly as you’d like.  Annemarie says she’s big on being silly as self-care:  “I have a ton of playlists for different moods and I’ll just dance and sing to them in my room.  So I have one called ‘fierce and fabulous’ with artists like Beyoncé for when I need to be pumped up, and another called ‘pocketful of sunshine’ with bubblegum pop like Colbie Caillat.  Also making silly faces in the mirror.”

4) Let your feelings show.  Vent to a family member or friend or even a pet (“talk to cats!” – Yas), or turn all your confusion/exhaustion/frustration into a diary entry or blog post.  Joneka says: “dancing and singing is very helpful for me.  I also like writing my feelings down, regardless of whether it’s good or bad, just to get it off my chest.  Don’t feel you have to bottle anything up; everything you’re feeling is valid!”  Izzy writes: “I’ve been reading and writing a lot of poetry and listening to a lot of good music, and sleeping in.  Those are always my methods of chillaxin’.”

5) Sometimes it’s all about the classics: Montgomery says, “I just eat.  And write angry blog posts that I never actually send.  And eat.” Other classics? Calliope suggests playing “an online game (pssst!  League of Legends!).”

6) Enjoy some fresh air.  With new opportunities for the world of activism blossoming with the rise of the Internet, it can feel like you spend more time with a computer screen than actual people.  You may feel better by going for a walk, or sitting in a garden or a park, or even just strolling idly round your town center – anything that feels like a change of scene is a good idea.

Basically, awesome readers, the idea is that you should never feel like you just have to suffer througit when things feel really stifling – try out one of our tried and tested remedies for stress or tiredness and you might just feel better!  Remember: there are always people out there who care how you’re feeling.  The SPARKteam are sending love and hugs your way at this crazy time of year.