Originally written April 2023
There are many moments when I question the outcome of fighting for justice and the sweetest life possible. There are times I don’t know what I can give to change anything. I think maybe this is true for most of us. My friend David reminded me that if nothing else, I have some survival tools to share…
Boundaries and limits with news and social media. I’ve experimented with this a lot over the years, and I have noticed whenever I pause from social media, I almost always feel better. When I removed the apps from my phone, it made a world of difference. Of course there are times I need to have a FB account to find a resource, ranging from educational videos to word-of-mouth on good doctors in my area. Of course there are times I miss the connection and go on IG searching for community. And I still use LinkedIn out of professional necessity. But I try to give myself grace. I’ve invited myself to create boundaries on news intake as well, trying to choose just one news show to listen to, only checking news online three times a day instead of sixteen. It’s a daily struggle for me to resist the alluring but ultimately disassociating feeling of constant information intake as protective.
Listening to and making music playlists. When the noise in my head won’t quiet, I’ll listen to music all throughout the day. Especially upbeat music or rhythmic tunes, depending on how busy my brain happens to be. I let myself explore everything from old favorites, playlists from friends, wordless songs, music in many languages, music to match the tempo of house chores, etc. Here are a few of my personal playlists in progress. Of course, I also thrive on podcasts, so there’s more on that in the “listening recommendations” section.
Using an acupressure mat and other sensory tools. Fidget tools are so helpful, from a simple paperclip to various doodads created for fiddling with. There are also tools that can create sensations that can minimize self-harm behaviors. Shout out to my therapist Katie who introduced me to acupressure mats, which for me is a great safe way of experiencing physical stimulation.
Gathering historical perspective. Lately, The Nerve! Conversations with Movement Elders has been a great source of inspiration, understanding the wisdom of those who’ve been working for justice for decades. I’ve also continued nurturing my own cultural connections, including observing and researching Jewish holidays and history. This talk on Wounds into Wisdom: Healing Intergenerational Jewish Trauma was especially impactful to me, weaving together the horrors of the Holocaust with the colonization of Palestine.
NOTE: These are not meant as prescriptions, only things that have been useful to me. In some cases, the exact opposite may be helpful for you! In any case, I hope this provides inspiration to tend your own collection of survival tools <3