Do you feel like you have an issue? Like there are a lot of things you care about, but that there is just one thing, above all the other ones, that is your issue? I started to feel that way about choice issues in college.
The big thing for me when it comes to choice is that I feel like I'm necessary. While in actuality there are many young, pro-choice women, it doesn't always feel that way. I felt like I needed to become an advocate because there may not be someone else to step up in my place. Is this really the case? Maybe, maybe not. But it's enough to make me get involved in the movement.
So what happens when your issue becomes your job? I work for a pro-choice organization and I love my job. I'm blessed to get to do work every single day that matters to me, and makes me feel like I'm making a difference. My mind is stimulated, my dedication is challenged and my soul is inspired every day.
But when I get home, I'm exhausted. I am so personally invested in the mission of the work I do that it has become more than a job. The books and blogs I want to read are about feminism and choice, the discussions I have are about this - even the blog posts I want to write, and I'm tired. When someone has a problem with where I work (which happens a lot in my part of the country), it doesn't roll off my back. It seems like an incredibly personal attack, because it's about so much more than just my job.
Anyone else out there in a similar situation? How do you balance when your passion becomes your work? How do you set boundaries that allow you to relax and rejuvenate? How do you avoid the burnout that seems to be inevitable in this situation?
Cross-posted on "Quarter Life Feminist"
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Tara,
First off I commend you and thank you for your work and I stand beside you in the uphill battle for safe, available, legal abortion. Millions of women benefit from your work.
I feel you with the all-cosuming work sometimes becoming exhausting. And the last thing you want to do is burn-out. First off, I hope that you have a good support of pro-choice friends that you can vent to when those anti-choice zealots are getting to you too much. Having a strong friend base with similar values is so important.
Secondly, you need balance. Do you have something else that you are interested in that you could engage in during your off-time? A community garden? An art class? Yoga? Something that is creative and an emotional outlet that you can take a "break" from obsessing (not in a bad way) about your work.
And finally, a good counselor- I found that this is the number one most helpful thing in my work. Having someone that I trust, is pro-choice and pro-woman (they are out there) and is a certified therapist who can help you deal with your emotions and give you perspective (without being overly invested like friends/fam).
I hope this is helpful! Much Peace-
You are very fortunate to work a job that you love and which inspires you. I have a friend who works at a female reproductive rights nonprofit and finds it often difficult to not take her work home with her, too.
As a previous poster has mentioned, finding a good outlet that feeds your soul and keeps you centered is well worth the investment. Playing music is one such outlet for me. Watching one of my ridiculously arty obscure films is another one. I'm sure you have similar passions within you, too.
You are very fortunate to work a job that you love and which inspires you. I have a friend who works at a female reproductive rights nonprofit and finds it often difficult to not take her work home with her, too.
As a previous poster has mentioned, finding a good outlet that feeds your soul and keeps you centered is well worth the investment. Playing music is one such outlet for me. Watching one of my ridiculously arty obscure films is another one. I'm sure you have similar passions within you, too.