As I (Amy) sit at my desk today, immersed in chapter drafts for our upcoming anthology Our Disability Theologies: Body-Minds and God-Talk, I'm struck by the depth of insight and lived experiences that pour from the pages. In my role as an editor at the Mad and Crip Theology Press, I've had the privilege of working with countless writers who bare their souls, sharing stories of struggle, resilience, and advocacy. It's a responsibility I don't take lightly, and one that has taught me a crucial lesson: the importance of self-care in this challenging yet vital work.
I remember a particularly intense editing session last year while working on a different project. The manuscript was a searing account of institutional abuse, and as I worked through it, I found myself overwhelmed by the weight of the author's pain and the systemic injustices they described. By the end of the day, I was emotionally drained, my body tense with stress. It was a stark reminder that while our work as Mad and Crip writers and activists is crucial, it comes at a cost – one that we must learn to mitigate through intentional self-care practices.
This personal experience underscores a reality faced by many in our community: Writers and activists often find themselves at the forefront of challenging societal norms, fighting for rights, and sharing deeply personal experiences. While this work is crucial and can be deeply fulfilling, it also comes with unique challenges that can impact our overall well-being. This post explores the importance of self-care for Mad and Crip writers and activists, offering a holistic approach to maintaining balance and sustaining our important work.
Reframing Self-care as Radical Act
The concept of self-care, particularly for marginalized communities, goes beyond simple relaxation techniques. As Audre Lorde famously stated, "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare."[1] For Mad and Crip individuals, self-care becomes a radical act of resistance against systems that often devalue their experiences and needs. Engaging in advocacy work, especially when it involves sharing personal narratives or confronting oppressive structures, can be emotionally and physically taxing. The risk of burnout, re-traumatization, and compassion fatigue is high. Therefore, implementing effective self-care strategies is not just beneficial—it's essential for sustainable activism and writing.
Holistic Well-being: Mind, Body, and Spirit
Rather than viewing self-care as a series of tasks to complete, it's more helpful to consider it as a holistic approach to well-being that encompasses mind, body, and spirit. This perspective recognizes the interconnectedness of our various needs and experiences.
For the mind, this might involve practices that promote emotional and mental well-being. As writers and activists, much of our work involves intellectual and emotional labour. Giving our minds space to rest, process, and rejuvenate is crucial. Physical well-being forms the foundation of overall health and can significantly impact mental and emotional states. However, it's important to recognize that traditional notions of physical self-care may not be accessible or relevant to all Mad and Crip individuals. The key is to find ways to honour and care for our bodies that align with our unique needs and abilities.
Spiritual self-care, often overlooked, can be a powerful source of resilience and meaning. As disability theologian Nancy Eiesland argues in "The Disabled God," spiritual practices can offer "a way of making meaning of the experience of disability and of finding both self-acceptance and social liberation."[2] This doesn't necessarily mean religious practice, but rather any activities that connect us to a sense of purpose or something greater than ourselves.
Community Care: Beyond Individual Responsibility
While personal self-care practices are important, it's equally crucial to recognize the value of community care. As disability justice advocate Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha notes, "Working collectively can address the reality that not all of us can practice self-care all the time."[3] Community care shifts the burden of well-being from being solely an individual responsibility to a collective one. This approach recognizes that our well-being is interconnected and that by supporting each other, we can create more sustainable movements and communities.
Embracing Imperfection and Setting Boundaries
For many activists and writers, there's a pressure to be "perfect" representatives of their communities. However, embracing imperfection can be a powerful form of self-care. Recognizing that we don't have to be experts on everything, allowing ourselves to make mistakes, and understanding that our worth is not determined by our productivity or activism are all important aspects of self-care. Setting boundaries is another crucial element of self-care. This involves learning to say no to requests or opportunities that may overextend us, pacing ourselves in our work, and identifying and managing situations that may be particularly challenging or triggering.
Conclusion: Sustaining the Movement Through Self-care
Self-care is not selfish—it's a necessary component of sustainable advocacy and writing. By prioritizing holistic well-being, Mad and Crip writers and activists can continue their important work while maintaining their health and happiness. Remember that self-care looks different for everyone. It's important to explore and discover what works best for you, being patient with yourself as you develop and refine your self-care practices.
By taking care of ourselves and each other, we not only improve our own lives but also contribute to the overall strength and sustainability of our movements. As feminist theologian Rita Nakashima Brock reminds us, "The work of social transformation begins in the imagination of the heart."[4] This perspective underscores the profound connection between our inner work of self-care and the broader work of social change. When we nurture our imagination and our hearts through self-care practices, we cultivate the resilience and creativity needed to envision and create a more just world.
[1]: Audre Lorde, A Burst of Light: Essays (Ithaca, NY: Firebrand Books, 1988), 131.
[2]: Nancy L. Eiesland, The Disabled God: Toward a Liberatory Theology of Disability (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994), 89.
[3]: Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice (Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp Press, 2018), 33.
[4]: Rita Nakashima Brock, Journeys by Heart: A Christology of Erotic Power (New York: Crossroad, 1988), 98.
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