Harry Josephine · @HarryGiles
13th Jul 2016 from TwitLonger
So you're feeling terrible about politics. Here's my advice to myself:
So you're feeling terrible about politics. You need a break. Maybe you joined Labour to support Corbyn, and are now feeling demoralised by the bitterness of the battle and the obtuseness of the NEC. Maybe you're fighting on a local campaign and are frustrated that everyone's just talking about Labour. Maybe the relentless barrage of negative media is turning your brain to soup. Maybe you're realising that some of the people you're campaigning alongside are actually really nasty people, and you thought you were trying to make something better. Maybe you're so frightened about the forward march of doomsterish Tory policy you can't get anything done. Maybe you can't believe how vindictive your opponents can be. I feel you. I'm there too.
Here are some things I'm writing down for myself, and I hope it helps you too:
(1) It was always going to be this hard. It was never going to be easy. Every social change we've won that's made things better has come at appalling personal cost to the people who've fought for it. Weekends, women's suffrage, LGBT rights, the right to strike -- people have died, gone to prison, dealt with the daily shame of being belittled by media commentators, nursed their bruises, nursed each others' bruises, been newly shocked at how low the forces of reaction will go. It's cost us, but somehow we've always found a way through, and somehow we've often won.
(2) You're allowed to turn off. The future of humanity does not depend on you replying to that tweet. The future of humanity does not depend on going to that particular meeting. The future of humanity does depend on the people fighting for the future of humanity not driving themselves and everyone around them into the ground. We don't get to be perfectly comfortable, we don't get to insulate ourselves from all suffering and personal cost, but we do get to do some basic looking after of ourselves and each other. We do get to try and have some basic level of happiness to give us the energy to fight.
(3) The news is not your friend. Most media, including the liberal media, and especially social media, is run by big financial interests. That's not conspiracy, it's fact. These companies have a financial interest in keeping you on their websites as long as possible. They specifically hire people to make their websites physically addictive. They do not have a financial interest in making the world a better place. You do. It's important to have a basic level of understanding of what's going on, but you don't have to follow every twist and turn, every new drama, and you're not a better or worse person for doing so. If the news is making you feel terrible, you can stop looking at the news.
(4) Doing constructive things helps. Spreading messages on social media and signing petitions is good political work, but sometimes it can feel a bit empty. The immediate buzz of a like or a thanks feels nice and is addictive, but doesn't make us feel better in a lasting way. Having something in your life that feels like you're *building* a better world can be really transformative. Doing active things with your friends is especially good. Maybe that's volunteering for your local LGBT support group. Maybe that's making the tea for the migrant solidarity meeting. Maybe that's helping redecorate the benefit advice drop-in centre. This kind of everyday maintenance is vital political work and tends to feel psychologically better than tweeting or even marching.
(5) You may never see victory. There's no perfect answer, no utopia, no final victory. Sometimes things get better and sometimes things get worse. Sometimes you get to see the win and sometimes you don't. Social change is a very long haul. If you're doing political activism because you want to see big victories, you're likely to disappoint yourself and get demoralised. Focus on the everyday solidarity of the struggle itself, on the pleasure of working with your friends to try and make things better. Make the process itself something that gives you strength. Do the kind of politics you actually enjoy for the doing of it, because if you do things you hate just because you think you ought to, you won't be able to last. And this is a very long haul.
(6) Look after your pals. Think of a friend who you really respect, and who you know is making the world a better place. Right now, send them a message asking them how they're doing. Do it now. Right now. Stop reading, and send your comrade some love and support right now. Done it? Good. Thanks. That's how we get through.
Take care xxx