Pause and Focus on Healing in Support of Our Liberated Future
Serving as a Changemaker is a profound and beautiful journey. It demands courage, vision, and persistence. Whether you're rallying for equity, building just systems, or holding space for empowerment, being a driver of change isn’t easy. It comes with challenges, victories, and moments of deep personal growth. But alongside these, it often comes with the weight of responsibility—a weight so heavy that we sometimes forget ourselves in the process. Especially in these times when we are literally witnessing the roll back of so many policies here in the U.S. that were attempting to create a more just world.
If you're reading this, you might be familiar with that weight. Perhaps you're a changemaker committed to building a better future. Maybe you're a justice advocate creating ripples of hope in your community. Whoever you are, I see you, and I’m here to offer encouragement. Today, I invite you to pause and reflect—not on what’s next, but on you.
Why Pausing Is a Radical Act
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It's one of the most revolutionary acts you can offer in service of social justice and collective liberation. Our fast-paced daily lives often demand constant output, asking us to solve problems, lead efforts, and fill every gap. But when was the last time you paused to ask, “What would support me to feel better? What would thriving look like today? What could support me to begin healing right now?
Pausing is about more than stopping. It’s an intentional act of resistance against burnout culture—a chance to reclaim the energy, love, and compassion that drive your work and to direct some of those reserves toward yourself. To create meaningful, sustainable change, it’s not just your community that needs transforming but also the ways in which you honor yourself.
Leading with a Full Cup
We’ve all heard it before, but it bears repeating—you cannot pour from an empty cup. Yet so many of us try. We pour tirelessly into others, often sacrificing our own well-being, believing that personal care can wait until “the work is done.”
But here’s the hard truth: The work is never truly done. There will always be more to advocate for, more systems to reform, and more communities to uplift. This doesn't devalue your efforts—it means that ensuring you’re fueled and flourishing is vital to any long-term impact. A leader who is burnt out isn’t a leader who can sustain their mission. Rejuvenation and healing are the oxygen you need to keep breathing life into your purpose.
Checking in With Yourself
Take a moment—right now—and reflect on the following coaching questions:
What does healing look like for you today?
How can you give yourself permission to seek it?
What do you need to begin refueling?
What are you yearning for but not allowing time to pursue?
How could you offer yourself even one small spark of joy this week?
These moments of self-awareness matter. They illuminate where we need to focus that powerful energy of care we so often extend outward.
Healing doesn’t have to come through grand gestures. It’s the small, deliberate practices that can realign us with our purpose and restore our passion. Whether it's a day of rest, reconnecting with loved ones, meditating, journaling, or even seeking professional support, these acts of self-care can nurture not just our bodies but also our minds and spirits.
You Are a Part of the Liberation You Seek
Remember, personal liberation is part of the collective liberation you’re advocating for. When we care for ourselves, we model that for others, showing them that healing isn’t a luxury or an afterthought—it’s essential. By pausing to heal, we engage in a ripple effect that empowers those around us to do the same.
Imagine the world we’re building. It’s not just a place of equality and justice, but one where leaders and communities are thriving, whole, and resilient. That future begins with you.
A Call to Reconnect
Today, I encourage you to carve out time to focus on healing. Reconnect with yourself, take inventory of your energy, and prioritize your well-being as much as you prioritize the causes dear to you.
You are a remarkable force for change. And the change you aspire to create in this world begins within you.
Whatever is waiting for you tomorrow will still be there. Today is for you. Take that time. Pause. Replenish your spirit. And when you're ready, return to your mission stronger, more grounded, and more purposeful than before.
Your rest is resistance. Your healing is liberation. And your well-being is the foundation of a future filled with possibility.
