Finding Resilience and Joy in Environmental Advocacy

Finding Resilience and Joy in Environmental Advocacy

I had a thought-provoking comment from my recent presentation with Good for the Hood that has stuck with me.

During our discussion on burnout and resilience, someone shared their struggle with watching nature documentaries because they feel overwhelmed by the devastation and loss our planet is experiencing.

This sentiment is all too familiar to many of us involved in environmental activism and the fight to preserve our natural ecosystems and species, where the enormity of the issues we face can feel incredibly daunting.

So, how does this impact us as advocates, and how confront the despair and create a shift toward embracing more positivity?

Environmental advocacy is undeniably challenging. The relentless cycle of victories and setbacks can be exhausting, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the problems.

And when we see nature, it can trigger feelings of hopelessness.

But even though we have that moment of hopelessness, it's crucial not to let the challenges of the work we do overshadow the joy and awe that nature brings to inspire us to keep going.

Hopelessness equals inaction - and nature needs us to take action to protect it!!

Watching nature documentaries and spending time in the natural world can serve as powerful reminders of why we fight so hard to protect it when applied with the right mindset, that there is hope!

Research shows that exposure to nature, whether through documentaries or direct experiences, can have profound psychological benefits. It can reduce stress, improve mood, and increase feelings of connectedness and purpose. These positive emotions are not just beneficial for personal well-being but are essential motivators for continued activism.

When we feel connected to and inspired by the natural world, we are more likely to take action to protect it.

So, how do we ease the feelings of hopelessness?

Clean up your feeds and curate what you let into your mind.

Maintaining resilience is managing the information we consume. Social media and news outlets are often saturated with negative stories - especially in the environmental space, which can contribute to feelings of despair.

It's essential to balance this by actively seeking out positive news and stories of environmental successes. Curating your feeds to include uplifting content can make a significant difference in your mental well-being and outlook. Allowing the majesty and awe of the natural world to fill you is not only regenerating but it instills the vital resilience required to play in this space.

Studies have shown that constant exposure to negative news can lead to increased anxiety and depression. On the other hand, focusing on positive stories can enhance our sense of optimism and motivation.

By carefully selecting the content we engage with, we can maintain a healthier mental state and stay motivated in our advocacy efforts.

In line with this, I highly recommend following content creators who focus on positive environmental news. For instance, Sam Bentley's YouTube channel offers monthly updates on great environmental achievements from around the world.

Click here to watch one now! https://www.youtube.com/@itsSamBentley

These kinds of resources remind us that despite the challenges, there are significant and positive changes happening every day. Check out the May wrap-up from Sam for a flood of good news stories from around the world. Did you know that we now have 30% of our energy globally now coming from solar and wind? Taking time to focus on the good media provides a much-needed counterbalance to the often grim news landscape, showing us that our efforts are indeed making a difference and inspiring hope for the future.

And, let’s not forget the power of action!

The superpower to combat feelings of hopelessness is through action. When I've faced feelings of hopelessness, I've found the antidote in action, getting directly involved, and getting hands in the soil through participating in landcare and other environmental groups, provides the healing benefits of nature to lead the way. Honestly, it incredibly grounding and empowering. We know how extensive the evidence is around the healing benefits to humans of being in nature and being connected to the earth.

Being actively engaged in the solutions to the problems we care about helps transform despair into a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

While environmental advocacy can be incredibly challenging, it's important to remember that there is always a balance to be found.

Embracing the beauty and wonder of nature, take proactive steps and curate your information intake to help maintain your resilience. Every small action we take contributes to a larger movement, and every positive story we hear can inspire us to keep going.

Let's stay connected to the joy and power of nature and continue our efforts with a hopeful heart. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

I get it. Sometimes, it's easier said than done. Or maybe you read this and it makes sense, and you think, yeah, I'll do that tomorrow, but I challenge you to start today. Watch Says May's roundup of good news (11 min), take a 10-minute walk outside, and spend 10 minutes cleaning up your feed on one social media channel. It's 30 minutes well spent and an absolute investment in your well-being!