For many, the past year has felt like a balancing act. Staying healthy, focusing at work, and managing complex family dynamics in the midst of a global pandemic and political unrest is no easy feat. We’ve devoted extra time to stories on self-care, and fortunately, there are many strategies for coping with burnout without disconnecting from our values. Today we share eight strategies for staying engaged in an overwhelming world.
- Start with yourself. We all want to make a difference in the world, but the easiest way to do this is to start with our own actions. Participate in local elections, bake cookies for a neighbor, volunteer at a beach cleanup, and listen to the needs of those around you. These are just a few of the things you can do.
- Read! Reading is a great way to both gain perspective on critical issues and escape this crazy world for a little bit. Take time to read books written by diverse authors and across all genres.
- Expand your news sources. Even if it’s a reliable source, getting all your news from one place limits your perspective on the world. Dive into diverse sources and explore long-form news sites to dive deeper into topics you’re interested in.
- Diversify social media. Like the news, social media traps us into a positive feedback loop of our own viewpoints. Seek out young leaders, activists, and grassroots organizations to follow to learn and grow.
- Support small businesses. Where you spend your hard-earned dollars is a great way to express your values. Find meaningful and ethical businesses in your community to support. Use tools like, which lets you support small bookstores and Yelp’s Black-owned businesses feature to support businesses run by people of color.
- Make donations. Think an organization is doing great things? Support them by donating your money, supplies, or time.
- Be an ally. Support marginalized members of your community by taking action to protect them. Call your representatives, stand up in situations of injustice, and have those difficult conversations with your friends and family.
- Share resources. Share the great organizations and work you discover with friends and family. Did you watch a great documentary or listen to an informative podcast you loved? Get it out into your circle and spread the word!
No one person can change the world overnight, but there are endless ways each and every one of us can have a tangible impact. If you’re feeling burnout, take a breath and make time for self-care, then dive back in with these strategies for staying engaged.
