Burnout workshop - yay!

Last night, Kate lead a burnout workshop at NewQ. Unlike the last series of workshops, people did attend, and people did donate the suggested $5 toward the space. Oh joy!

I learned a lot from the 15 (yes, 15!) people who attended. About half left before the end, but that was due to the time, and not because of content or participation.

Lots of the people who came were younger than me - in the thick of it in uni politics, queer activism, womens organizing. A fresh crop of interesting young idealists, about to fall out of the uni bubble into the “real world”. Burnt out from activism, about to lose that supportive, smothering, cloistering community.

The discussion was really ripe, and there was lots of input from everyone. As Kate remarked afterward, we did find some answers, but also created more questions.

We looked at what burns us out; how we can’t say “no” to tWe looked at what burns us out; how we can’t say “no” to thankless tasks, but rarely say “yes” to thankless tasks, but rarely say “yes” to our own personal errands, or social engagements. We talked about nurturing ourselves, and our groups - having fun while organizing. Most importantly, making sustainable groups and sustainable projects. A couple of people articulated this very well, saying “you need to define your boundaries and stick to them”, and another person said “if it won’t get done unless I do it, then maybe it doesn’t deserve to get done; maybe that means it isn’t that great a project”.

Such a good workshop!

We also managed to raise heaps of $ for NewQ. We made about half the week’s rent in one night!