Dear Therapist,

Activism has been a way of life for me for a long while. I care deeply about social justice and contributing to the creation of a better world for all. I used to find this work energising, as it felt meaningful and necessary. These days, though, I am utterly depleted - perhaps burnt out by the sheer number of fronts I’m fighting on. It is hard not to become embroiled in all the suffering, anger and bitterness. My life feels like one giant protest, so I am stepping back a bit for now. I feel guilty, as I want to be doing my part, but I don’t know how to do this without sacrificing my mental and physical health.

Signed,

Depleted

Dear Depleted,

Although your intention is the creation of a better world for all, it sounds as though much of your energy is currently spent battling against things as they are, rather than working for the betterment you envision. Fighting injustice and harm is important, but it can also be deeply draining. Operating from anger can be motivating at first, but ultimately exhausting, as it burns through the very energy we need to create change. From a place of depletion, it becomes difficult to imagine a constructive path forward. Without a positive destination, movements—and our own motivation—can be hard to sustain.

Social activist Lynn Twist describes her work as “pro-activism”: vision-driven action that stands for possibility and transformation, rather than primarily organising against a problem. Where “against-activism” mobilises outrage in opposition to harm, pro-activism is fuelled by hope and imagination, moving towards shared goals. Both may confront problems, but the emotional centre is different. Pro-activism is grounded in a belief in the common good and a connection to something larger than oneself. It invites others in, rather than dividing against. Perhaps the most famous example is Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech—an inspiring and effective rallying cry for justice, equality and unity.

You are taking a needed rest from protest activity, and it is good that you are listening to your body. There is no shame in restorative time. You have been outwardly focused for a long while; now is a time to replenish so you can re-engage more effectively with the world. Activist culture often emphasises urgency but underappreciates sustainability, which requires rest, emotional processing and care.

In this quieter period, you might return to what supports and sustains you—whether that is people, places or practices. Before re-engaging, allow your mind to wander towards the positive changes you would like to see, even if only in your immediate surroundings. Think in terms of possibilities and alternatives, not just critiques of the present. There will likely still be protests against harm or injustice that you want to attend, but these can be seen as one side of the coin. The other is standing for creative transformation you dream about, and working with others to bring that shared vision into being.

Yours,

Kelly Hearn