This is a great adjustment to a well-meaning saying. I will add: Michael Phelps can hold his breath longer than most of us, and also that may change if he's panicking about the plane! Would he be judged for putting on his mask first if his state of mind impacted his ability?
With that in mind, I would like to build on what you were saying:
Do I need to breathe?
Can I hold my breath?
Am I pressuring myself to hold my breath because I think I should be able to better than others and therefore will feel guilty and shameful if I don't, even if it breaks me?
[*raises hand at that last one]
All in all I think it's great to monitor the change in ability and capability from moment to moment, especially for us activists, especially right now. I'm being mindful of when to breathe, when to hold my breath-- and when to make EXTRA time to breathe after my breath has been held.
While I hold privilege (white, New Englander) I also balance that with disparities (trans, disabled, single parent). I have burnt out, and I have had to take FMLA leave, so now I am extra cautious about my boundaries and breathing time. I've learned I can only show up and use my privilege and skills when I'm healthy and alive, so I'm taking care to stay healthy and alive.
Thank you for your shares, and for having this important discussion of balance!
The bus photo 😂🏆
Thank you for this haha I missed it!!!! Perfect photograph. hahaha
I love that one, especially with the caption.
This is a great adjustment to a well-meaning saying. I will add: Michael Phelps can hold his breath longer than most of us, and also that may change if he's panicking about the plane! Would he be judged for putting on his mask first if his state of mind impacted his ability?
With that in mind, I would like to build on what you were saying:
Do I need to breathe?
Can I hold my breath?
Am I pressuring myself to hold my breath because I think I should be able to better than others and therefore will feel guilty and shameful if I don't, even if it breaks me?
[*raises hand at that last one]
All in all I think it's great to monitor the change in ability and capability from moment to moment, especially for us activists, especially right now. I'm being mindful of when to breathe, when to hold my breath-- and when to make EXTRA time to breathe after my breath has been held.
While I hold privilege (white, New Englander) I also balance that with disparities (trans, disabled, single parent). I have burnt out, and I have had to take FMLA leave, so now I am extra cautious about my boundaries and breathing time. I've learned I can only show up and use my privilege and skills when I'm healthy and alive, so I'm taking care to stay healthy and alive.
Thank you for your shares, and for having this important discussion of balance!
This is really great. Brilliant actually. Where can I breathe- where can’t I? What do I need to save air for?
Thanks Ben.
Ben this is beautiful and you are a gift. Your words ease my concerns when I don’t take something on.
Hi, Ben. Great question. We all burnout. But so glad we got you for a speaker before you needed a break!