S3 E6: Un-Burnout + Imagining New Possibilities with Christy Tending
What could a truly just, equitable, sustainable, and healthy world look like? In this episode, I talk with Christy Tending, an activist, teacher, writer, and self-care mentor for rebellious humans who is all about sustainable, anti-capitalist self-care in service of liberation.
Responding to the rampant burnout she has seen among fellow activists, Christy teaches on how to get un-burned out through real, sustainable self-care that lets us truly show up for ourselves - self-advocacy. We talk about her personal definition of self-care, how self-care can be problematic or even weaponized (especially under the expectations of capitalism), and how she believes that imagination is the ultimate un-burnout tool.
Christy asks so many good questions that put these self-focused practices into a larger context - her passion for serving others is so clear. She also gave one of the best and most inspiring answers to “what are you excited about right now?”, my favorite question to ask at the end of each episode. I found this conversation very nourishing, and I’m sure that you will, too!
TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
Burnout in the activist community and why activists often struggle to take care of themselves
Her definition of self care and what sustainable self care really means, as opposed to the advertisement version
When self care didn’t work for her and how that led her work to focus on self advocacy
The danger of weaponizing self care
Christy’s tips for people getting burned out on activism for the first time
What her activism looks like right now and how she’s taking care of herself in that
Why she thinks that imagination is the ultimate un-burnout tool and a tool for liberation
Why she plans her personal self care and her 2 bookend essential self care practices
How important feedback is in relationships with ourselves and with others
What Christy is excited about right now for all of us
RESOURCES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
MORE FROM CHRISTY
MORE FROM REBECCA
Coaching for Creative Wellness
The Feel-Good Creativity Un-Challenge