You see, activism doesn’t just involve gluing yourself to structures or protesting in the streets. If you believe passionately that something can be better and you take action to improve it, to benefit your community, then you are also an activist.

Every letter your write, every challenging conversation that you have, every time you refuse to walk past something that clashes with your values and decide to do something about it….well, that’s activism and its leadership.

“But I’m really tired…” I hear you say. “I’m not as much of an activist as some people, I don’t deserve that title”.

If we all wait to be the perfect activist, to have the energy to take on the world and spend it all making the work a better place, nothing will get done, and nothing will improve.

Even a raindrop causes a ripple in the ocean.

And…it’s January. So if you’re feeling like hibernating right now, that you don’t have the energy to make change and you’re beating yourself up about that – stop.

Whether it’s climate change, health inequalities or communicating the state of the NHS that you care about, it can sometimes feel like shouting into a void. It’s bound to be exhausting sometimes.

If you need this month to rest, to take a step back and replenish – that’s ok! It’s not self-indulgent and you’re not letting people down. Take the time to rest knowing you will come back stronger and more energised at a later date. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Tell me, what helps you to replenish? What helps you to keep going? To re-energise and find your active hope?

I help activists (of all kinds) to learn how to look after themselves, so that they can identify where their energy is best used and make a difference without burning out. I currently have a slot in my diary, send me a message to book a complimentary call and let’s see if we can get you making change sustainably whilst maintaining joy and hope again.