Time to Take Action! Tips for Starting Out

“Time to Take Action! Tips for Starting Out,” in the centre on a blue background. Navy blue blobs at the top and bottom opposite corners with pink outline blobs.

You witnessed something that you feel like it needs to change? 

Do you have the drive to take action?

That is the starting point for someone to move into a journey of advocacy and activism as an approach to enacting change. However, the idea of advocacy and activism can be overwhelming to many people due to how the media portrays activists and advocates.  

Seriously, what is the first thought you can imagine when thinking about activism and advocacy? Is it different between the two words? 

That is not uncommon. The typical idea of an activist is viewed in protests, disruption, “doing the hard work”. The typical idea of an advocate is doing the behind the scenes work, doing the work on behalf of a person and community work. But in both cases, they are doing the work of creating change, spreading awareness, and encouraging others to get involved.
Perception plays a role in taking action. Many are learned from media and experiences to shape how you would like to be perceived. Choosing whether or not you want to identify as being an activist or being an advocate is not something you have to do. The decision of how people perceive your role in change making can place a label on you that you can choose to embrace or dismiss. The key mindset that is important at its core is, do you want to take action in changing what currently exists?

Part of the conversation and perception is the level of commitment that you contribute to the movement. The expectations versus reality are quite diverse. The expectations based on people we look up to as leaders of change and the reality of the work behind the scenes can differ. It is also crucial to remember that we all are active participants in society with needs that have to be met. Those needs vary based on lived experiences adding to the gap between made-marginalized communities who likely face more of the injustices but may not have the capacity to take the level of action needed to make significant change. However, they are the ones who have the knowledge of the gaps that can be useful to allow sustainable and effective change that can be maintained in the long run. 

Different levels of commitment is not the expectation of who can do the most but doing the best you can with the capacity and resources that are available to you. Contributing in a way that is sustainable for you that can still provide value to the conversation is important. Focus on what is realistic to you. Whether it is online with the flexibility of your own energy and schedules or creating major projects with opportunities of collaboration and awareness, any action can inspire someone to consider getting involved with the issue you are passionate about. 

In efforts to create sustainable journeys in taking action, there are a few aspects that can happen to you that you should look out for. 

Burnout

Doing the work can be difficult when balancing the many areas of life. It can also appear due to feeling the need to do more because that visible change that you would like to be the signal of success did not happen. Change is not always noticeable. With all the moving parts of the movements, it is important to remember that the movement is small steps of everyone contributing to the cause. Your contributions may not be a visible signal to you but can be the signal for someone else. Taking care of yourself and taking breaks when needed is important to continuing to take action long term. 

Emotional Exhaustion

Many of the issues can be distressing, especially if it is your lived experience. Being the voice and expertise in the change while also experiencing the injustices is exhausting when emotions need to be involved. Boundaries are important to ensuring that your peace (as much as possible) can be protected and providing you the choice instead of feeling like it is required. While creating change is important, not at the expense of your well-being. You are needed and important to the people you surround yourself with. 

Celebrating Accomplishments

Change is not always visible but, you can create the goals and small steps to be the signals for you. Doing the work is a huge task, especially consistently with no external recognition at times. Remembering why you want to take action that drives you to doing the work is the key to success. You deserve to celebrate your work whether someone recognizes it or not. Thank yourself for contributing to something that can be life-changing for people, including you.

Amanda