The word activism can bring up images of aggression and vehemence, but it turns out that activism can be practiced in gentle ways, too. Here are five simple yet radical things anyone can do in their day-to-day lives to make the world a better place.
Find joy
These days, the simple act of being joyful can be a profound way to positively impact your community. Joy connects and unifies people—and unity is what we need more than ever.
Author Adrienne Maree Brown writes in her bestselling book Pleasure Activism that “pleasure is a measure of freedom.” She asserts that what activists are fighting for—freedom, equality, and justice—are “joyful states.” Thus, embodying joy and connecting with others can be a radical act.
Fix something
The environmental crisis has put a spotlight on the downfalls of throwaway culture. To take a stand against the throwaway mindset, opt to stitch a ripped sweater or visit a neighborhood repair shop to fix your busted panini press.
Switch off
We are so used to our screens and devices that more of us are scrolling through life rather than living it. Be intentional about limiting time spent on devices so that you have time to truly connect with yourself and others, doing things you actually want to do.
To help you create boundaries, consider making your bedroom a screen-free zone, detoxing your devices of unnecessary applications, and turning off notifications. You can also invest in a real alarm clock, watch, and old-school calendar or agenda to really meet the challenge.
Take a nap
Instead of “grinding” constantly, join the “rest is resistance” movement, led by Tricia Hersey of the Nap Ministry. Hersey’s initiative encourages people to slow down and enjoy being human. It fights against the idea that we have to be productive all the time and promotes care for ourselves and others.
Become a RAKtivist
What is a RAKtivist? It’s short for “Random Acts of Kindness activist,” who is a person that is a part of a global community on a mission to make the world a better place through spontaneous acts of kindness. Right now, there are 43,209 signed-up RAKtivists in 89 countries.
