Note: this post is primarily talking about climate focused activism because that's what I'm most involved in, but it goes for all forms of direct and indirect action.

Listen, I get it. The world is a place full of rage and fear right now, and there is so much to fight against, to fight for, to take a stand on. It's wonderful and admirable that you want to make a difference, and you can. You will!

But do not keep grinding and pushing yourself to be a True Activist(tm) at the expense of your own health. We all need a break sometimes. If you've been camping out with Extinction Rebellion or Frack Off for nights at a time, and you're starting to get ill, find a warm place to stay. You are not letting anyone down by taking a break and getting back on your feet.

This is how we avoid burnout, this is how we keep the movement going and keep ourselves on our feet, ready to meet adversity at any time. Because you are not alone, and nor is anyone else. The more you recognise when you need a rest, and take that time, the more ready you'll be when the inevitable challenges come.

You can't lead a chant if you've lost your voice from sleeping out too many nights. You can't march if you've sprained your ankle from walking too far too fast all week. You can't help support others when you're completely drained yourself.

Take care of your body, your health and your mind. You will need it. Anticipate when you need a rest and take it then, before you reach breaking point. It will be a lot longer before you're well again if you wait til you're seriously sick. Prevention is better than cure, and we all need to pay attention to our own needs in these trying times - it's too easy to let the overwhelming need of the many trump your need to survive and thrive too.

So help out in whatever ways you can - you don't have to get arrested or lock yourself to a train to make a difference. You can be there when an arrestee is let out of the cells, be a listening ear and a warm hug. You can lend or give pots, pans and food to keep the movers moving. You can give lifts, help organise buses, print off leaflets, start a phoneline for strung-out activists in need of a listening ear. You can make space at home for people to sleep, or even just offer a cup of tea and a quiet space. A friend of mine doesn't get involved much in direct action, but when the fracking thumper trucks went past his house, he walked straight out and laid down in the road in front of them because, well, the opportunity to make a change was literally on his doorstep. Sometimes these things find you. Sometimes you won't have the energy to meet them and sometimes you will.

There are many roles in activism, and not all involve high risk. For every activist chained to fracking equipment, there must be people to feed, clothe, support, organise and care. You can get involved in more ways than you can imagine, regardless of your situation. And if that means just publicly expressing support online, or donating a sleeping bag, or listening to someone for an hour, that means the world to someone.