5 ways of engaging in self-care and world-care at the same time

April is almost here, and I’m in need of a refresh. Since January 20, I’ve felt angry, heartsick, afraid, overwhelmed, and oh so tired. And I see these same feelings in the faces and actions of my friends, family and community. Waiting around for others to do something about it isn’t helping. So, I’ve decided to take a page from the self-care playbooks and do something. Here are a few tips, along with the ways I’m following them. Feel free to join me or pick your own set of tips and invent a plan. And let us know what you’re up to, if you’re so inclined.

Tip #1:Get physical– plan some exercise, with friends or on your own.

One plan I have is to get a lot of steps in on Saturday, April 5 at the Hands Off! Massachusetts Protest Rally in Boston. It’s part of nationwide protests in the US. You can find more info here. I’ll either take public transport or ride my bike with my friend Norah to meet others and gather on the Boston Common. Then we march to City Hall Plaza for speakers. It’ll feel good to stretch my legs and work on taking back our democracy.

Tip #2: Get creative– try something new or familiar that stimulates your imagination, like art or crafts or poetry.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper protest rally without some good signs. I’m definitely planning on making some of my own. The Hands Off folks have provided lots of signs to print, like these:

These are great. But I also love ones that reflect our own individuality and perspective in the face of greed and cruelty.

Someone has even gone to the trouble of creating a google spreadsheet with sign slogan ideas. My current favorite is “Does this Ass Make My Country Look Small (with pic of Trump). Check them add and feel free to add your own spin.

Tip #3: Get social– join friends or family or your community in some common endeavor, whether it is for entertainment or activism.

Lots of people I know are posting about going to these rallies in their hometowns. I’ll be amplifying this message on my social media, and also talking it up in my friend and community groups. And come Saturday, I’ll be meeting thousands of new friends in my town, with whom I have a very important purpose in common: saving our country from fascism. Not that one protest will do the trick, but it’s a step (or in this case, thousands of steps) in the right direction.

Tip #4: Get outside– take some time to immerse yourself in nature; this can include anything from urban parks to local woods.

We’ll be meeting at the Boston Common on Saturday morning around 11am, which is located outside. The Parkman Bandstand, our meeting point, is surrounded by lovely trees bushes and grasses. Honestly, it won’t look like this in April, but here’s a nice summery pic:

Tip #5: Get clear about boundaries– say no to the demands or conditions that you know are harmful to your well-being and that of others.

Oh, there will be lots of saying no in my future, and in all our futures.

• No to illegal firings of federal and state employees working to support health, education, safety, and all the crucial everyday functions of our government.
• No to bellicose threats to other countries with whom we’ve shared supportive and beneficial relationships with for decades and decades.
• No to shutting down HIV clinics around the world, cancer clinical trials, measles and other vaccine education, the department o frigging education, and oh, the federal court system.
• No to kidnapping students and holding them illegally, for no reason other than hate and intimidation.
• Just no. Hands off, you bozos!

You know what? I already feel a little bit better. See, my self-care plan is starting to work. Of course, there’s actual work to do, and a lot of it, and for a sustained period. But I’ve got a plan. And I hope you’ll make one, too.