Burnout Antidote: Feminist/Womanist Support Group

I’ve been through burnout so many times you’d think by now I would know how NOT to get thoroughly depleted, but there are many sources that keep me chugging along, some of which I know very well, some I’m just confronting. As someone who has a background in psychotherapy, I know, theoretically and clinically, how huge a difference having support is, especially when you are working in a field that requires a very long view in order to keep on keepin’ on.

Therapists who work in private practice are smart to have a consultation group of their peers where they can discuss difficult cases as well as feel understood and supported in the work. Therapy is hard work for the client and hard work for the practitioner, and therapists who plan to thrive in the profession know that they must take care of their emotional needs outside of their practice. Without support in one’s life, going to work everyday against gigantic odds can be crushing to the soul.

In my current work as an activist feminist, I have blamed my burnout on fibromyalgia and depression, but I’m thinking that this is not the whole story. Ironically, I have never felt more connected and supported as a feminist than I am right now with my online feminism. But it isn’t enough, even with a husband who is the most supportive partner I can imagine. Recently I discussed burnout with a friend who works in public education, the profession possibly most likely to burn through your soul in the shortest span of time. We chewed over what we were each going through and then it hit us both: we each need a support group. She needs one of her peers in her profession and I need one of my peers in my profession.

My friend will create a face-to-face support group because she is able-bodied and hostessy and not into technology. She loves to cook and entertain people at her home. I am her opposite, preferring quiet space, experiencing social events as the most draining activity on earth. But hey, if I can be an effective activist feminist via web platforms, then surely I can get a support group of my peers to meet me online. Right? Of course right!

Proposal: that a regularly scheduled, drop-in, online support group be held and that membership will be open to activist feminists/womanists who have encountered burnout and who want to inoculate themselves against it by discussing how hard it is to do the work. I will facilitate the group to start, but if other people want to do it, that’s fine by me. I think it’s important to make it a drop-in group so that members don’t feel that this is another job to add to their already overcommitted feminist/womanist/activist agenda. Drop-in is also a good way to accommodate people who suddenly realize, hey, I could sure use a place to vent and get support…hmmm…wonder if that support group is worth a try…???

Proposal: that a regular time and meeting place be established. Also, I suggest we make this open to listeners, maybe via blogtalkradio. How/whether we want to integrate listeners into the group is an interesting question and I don’t know how this would work. I’d like to hear from people who see themselves using this group on a regular basis.

Proposal: that anyone interested in this support group post this to their blogs, get feedback and suggestions for the best online platform and the best time. Please drop me a line either by comment or Twitter or Facebook or email (madamaambi at g mail dot com) to let me know if you are interested. Let’s convene in a few weeks to see if there’s sufficient interest to take it to the next step.

(also published at Feminist Advisory Board for Obama)