Burnout, 2026 Version

Thoughts from the intersection of wellness and activism from MJ, WAAM co-founder:

It’s no secret that many of us are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by the daily crises that plague our country, desperate for one day of news that doesn’t make us question how we ended up in this timeline and how the hell we can get out of it. Activists (the WAAM team included) are particularly susceptible to feelings of burnout right now. Protests and rapid responses are happening every day to address each new crisis, and behind many events are teams of people who have organized more protests in the first month of 2026 than they did in the entirety of 2025. For a lot of us, the workload right now is endless and yet it continues to grow.

What Is Burnout?

With the daily deluge of news stories highlighting the harms inflicted by ICE and our current administration, a lot activists are feeling the pressure to participate in every action they can as each new crisis arises. However, constant exposure to these crises, even that which is secondary, can lead to feelings of perpetual stress and hopeless. It’s not uncommon for activists, as a consequence, to fall into a state of burnout.

Burnout can be defined as “...a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. It can occur when you experience long-term stress and feel under constant pressure”. While there are differences in how each person experiences burnout, it commonly causes individuals to feel unmotivated and at times render them unable to meet the demands placed upon them. For an activist or organizer, this may look like disengaging with the news, ceasing participation in protests, and/or failing to follow-through with leadership responsibilities.

How Do We Combat Burnout While Not Wavering In Our Efforts?

When you are feeling burned out, here are some gentle reminders and suggestions:

1. You don’t need to go to and/or organize every action to effect change. 

2. Traditional news media is prone to covering negative news stories, especially when it comes to protests. They aren’t as keen on covering the thousands of protests over the past month that both started and ended peacefully.

3. Don’t be afraid to take a day away from the activist space every now and then. It will still be there when you get back!

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for support within your circles or from your mentors. Many seasoned activists have had experiences with burnout before and have successfully overcome it.

5. If you are beginning to feel burned out but know you absolutely must act, find a way to make it fun and relaxing! For example, tap into your artistic side and make some protest signs to give to your friends or activist colleagues.

For more resources on combatting burnout, check out: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/

Yes, WAAAM is marching again this April (our organizers are keeping an eye on our health as we continue organizing).

Join us this April 11-25th! Register here.

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