March 24, 2025
We are living in uncertain times. So many of us are unsure of what is going to happen with our jobs, with our social security, with our relationships, with our health, with our lives. It is very difficult to not know where we are going or how things are going to settle or if they will settle. This state tends to foster anxiety and sometimes depression. It is hard to figure out how to react, especially when we are already exhausted from the fight.
I am here to say don’t give up . . . and take care of yourself. Right now, self-care, as trite as it might sound, is critical. There are many things we can’t change or influence, but it’s important to figure out things that we do have influence over – one of which is our own physical and mental health. For one, if we are exhausted and depleted is it more likely we could become hopeless and despairing. To be able to keep our focus on the advocacy work we need to do we need to honor our bodies and rest.
I know rest can be a challenge. There is way too much to do that pressures us to keep doing. However, I argue that the consequences of not resting could be far worse than the over-stuffed to do list. We need to pace ourselves and remember we are not in this alone. Find your community, share the load, and help each other to take care. This is the way we will make it for the long haul.
In community,
Pata Suyemoto
NAAPIMHA Executive Director