amber22 Senior Contributor
FORUMS
Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
- 47,612Members
- 1,358,869Posts
- 1,400,000Visitors
Jan Topic Tuesday Practice Space
5 replies
1 - 5 of 5
In response to: Jan Topic Tuesday Practice Space
amber22 Senior Contributor
Re: Jan Topic Tuesday Practice Space
Hello @oscbeep @TideisTurning
In response to: Re: Jan Topic Tuesday Practice Space
oscbeep Senior Contributor
Re: Jan Topic Tuesday Practice Space
In response to: Re: Jan Topic Tuesday Practice Space
oscbeep Senior Contributor
Re: Jan Topic Tuesday Practice Space
We can all talk about self-care till the cows come home but what does that really look like in practice when advocating?
- Give ourself permission to feeling our feelings- allowing our emotions to exist as they are destined to- not to repress, avoid, compartmentalise, distract. Advocacy can be uncomfortable at the best of times so practicing tolerating discomfort is helpful. Discomfort can be so very real when we are using our voices, fighting for our rights or advocating for the causes that we support. Speaking up can beyond our comfort zone- the process can be loud, intense, unfamiliar, stressful, even heartbreaking. Our resilience towards discomfort can be a really powerful asset when it comes to our advocacy skills.
- Respecting your own boundaries- how tired are you? Where is your capacity at today? We are human beings and not machines and advocacy can be distressing at times- we have limits. Another boundary that is important to be conscious of is how our engagement in advocacy impacts our mental health. I’m not just talking about feeling a bit sad or disappointed- but those of us that navigate mental illness and experiences of trauma - what risks come with being an advocate? When it comes to public facing advocacy there can be a lot of challenges when it comes to accessibility- for me, I struggle with crowds and it makes it really challenging to show up in person at something like a protest. I have done a lot of work with my experience of trauma and how this impacts my capacity- but it still means that I deal with feelings like guilt and shame for having a difficult time showing up in person. You are not alone in feeling like this and it is ok to choose the way that you speak up. Protests and rallies are actually very inaccessible spaces for those of us who experience disabilities, are neurodivergent, have mental health challenges, are chronically ill or immunocompromised.
- Mindfulness and self-reflection- becoming aware of how stress or trauma shows up can be very useful- does this become a barrier and get in the way of aligning with our values? Do we have triggers that can be activated when speaking up?
- Practice nervous system regulation-
- Embrace solidarity- soak up the lived experiences of others like a sponge and I guarantee you won’t feel so alone while self-advocating. I think for us to be here and engaging in this conversation on this platform means that we can understand the power of sharing perspectives.
- Ask for help- and trust that the right help for you is out there.
In response to: Re: Jan Topic Tuesday Practice Space
oscbeep Senior Contributor
Re: Jan Topic Tuesday Practice Space
FURTHER READING AND RESOURCES
Self-advocacy & your rights
The UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Mental health statement of rights and responsibilities
Speak Up Be Heard- Self Advocacy Toolkit
Self-advocacy for the NDIS Workbook
Self-Advocacy Toolkit - Mental Health Family & Friends Tasmania
How to Think More Assertively Module
Mental Health Advocacy e-learning
Activism
Staying Resilient Workbook by Amnesty International
How Call Out Culture Is A Catalyst For Intersectionality At Work
Doing Activism My Way by Carly Findlay
Effective Activist Zine - An Evidence-Based Guide to Progressive Social Change
How to Use Activism as Self-Care
How to be an Activist Without Burning Out
Solidarity with Palestine: Free Resources and Further Reading | Verso Books
Why self-care and collective wellbeing are critical to winning change
Self-development, recovery and personal growth tools
Improving Assertiveness Self-Help Resources
A bill of rights for confidence, self-esteem and assertiveness
Developing Balanced Core Beliefs
Living Into Our Values - Brené Brown
The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action by Audre Lorde
[Podcast]: Paradigm Shift with Ayandastood- Episode 10 Finding Your Voice
Polyvagal Theory: A Science of Safety by Stephen W. Porges
In response to: Re: Jan Topic Tuesday Practice Space
oscbeep Senior Contributor
Re: Jan Topic Tuesday Practice Space
FURTHER READING AND RESOURCES
Self-advocacy & your rights
The UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Mental health statement of rights and responsibilities
Speak Up Be Heard- Self Advocacy Toolkit
Self-advocacy for the NDIS Workbook
Self-Advocacy Toolkit - Mental Health Family & Friends Tasmania
How to Think More Assertively Module
Mental Health Advocacy e-learning
Activism
Staying Resilient Workbook by Amnesty International
How Call Out Culture Is A Catalyst For Intersectionality At Work
Doing Activism My Way by Carly Findlay
Effective Activist Zine - An Evidence-Based Guide to Progressive Social Change
How to Use Activism as Self-Care
How to be an Activist Without Burning Out
Solidarity with Palestine: Free Resources and Further Reading | Verso Books
Why self-care and collective wellbeing are critical to winning change
Self-development, recovery and personal growth tools
Improving Assertiveness Self-Help Resources
A bill of rights for confidence, self-esteem and assertiveness
Developing Balanced Core Beliefs
Living Into Our Values - Brené Brown
The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action by Audre Lorde
[Podcast]: Paradigm Shift with Ayandastood- Episode 10 Finding Your Voice
Polyvagal Theory: A Science of Safety by Stephen W. Porges
Why Healing Trauma Starts with Creating Safety
Edit post
