This is awesome Britt - thank you for an excellent piece!!
I've definitely been one to say that action is the antidote to despair in the past so this was a great read for me.
So to make sure I'm understanding this right, I'm curious if you'd agree or what you'd tweak about the following. Would you say that external actions / activism are important/needed but aren't the antidote if they are the only thing that you do? And that the key point here is that you need to do the internal, emotional work first in order to handle eco anxiety/despair comprehensively?
Appreciate the help if you have time - no worries if you don't!
Hi Ryan! You've got it. External actions are absolutely crucial - we need them - but we aren't strengthening ourselves if that's all we do. We equally need to do our own internal activism to build up the resilience that's necessary to roll with these times. There's no judgment about which one comes first, as they are both continual processes that can work alongside each other. Mainstream rhetoric totally leaves that internal part out, which is damaging. Another way to phrase it might be "internal and external action are the antidote to despair" :)
I recently discovered your blog through the NYT and it is truly the words and insight that I have been seeking but didn't know where to look. At this moment, I feel energised by being able to put my finger on the sore spot and identify it. Through therapy and a meditation practice, I've been able to reflect and process a lot of feelings, as well as allowing them to simply be. I've been overcome with anxiety about the climate crisis, and your articles are like a light in the darkness to illuminate the challenging path that I need to walk. Thank you for your well written articles, looking forward to reading many more and sharing with friends and family.
Thanks Shaun! I believe I heard an interview with you on the radio a few months ago regarding Lean Logic/Surviving the Future, which I found super interesting - very nice to see you here.
For me, discovering that wider story that actually rings true in these times, aligns with my values and gives me meaningful work to do has proved a potent antidote to despair and anxiety, thus far.
But as you and Hickman say, only on the far side of grief:
This week I'm glad to have opened the next run of our 'Surviving the Future: Conversations for Our Time' course, to create another space for people to 'talk about it' together over the next couple of months. And I don't doubt that grief work will be a big and appropriate part of it again.
I know that the Climate Psychiatry Alliance and the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America are working on putting together a directory of climate-aware therapists. I'll check in with them about when it might be available to the public, but so far, I think it is still under wraps. You might want to check out their websites though and email them!
Yes, beautiful. I love what you’re putting out here and the tone through which you’re doing it. Learning how to build our capacity for the dark emotions, the challenging sensations, the tension, anxiety and pain. How that brings us towards more wholeness, and the potential for human/social development that comes from that. Awesome!
Interesting article but I’m not sure I agree. I’m a clinical psychologist trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and now a full-time volunteer organiser with the Extinction Rebellion.
I’m also one of the people who says “activism is the best therapy”.
But I do very much agree that activism shouldn’t be used to squash emotions that arise. In my previous work life I was doing group therapy with severely self harming and suicidal people with severe early trauma. Our approach was “Accept your thoughts and feelings and be present (*all* feelings are welcome); Choose action based on your values; Take action (it’s what you *do* that counts).
The way I think about it is if I do *everything* I can (looking after myself so I don’t burn out) I can celebrate any wins and even if things turn out badly I can live without regrets knowing I did all I could.
It’s similar to the acceptance state of mind when working with severely suicidal people - do everything you can but let go of trying to ‘push the river’.
Thank you very much for writing this. I have been struggling with how to incorporate climate action into my art practice for years. I have stopped painting in order to work on this part time. I've started on many ideas over the years got nothing going. In hindsight I think my own anxiety has been factoring in a big way, impeding me in ways I wasn't aware of. I am currently working on something new, an illustrated essay about climate psychology and creativity and activism, trying to incorporate things like what Renee Lertzman talks about on her youtube video. Covid-19 coming along has messed with that project though, moving countries and working at home with kids doing online learning has definitely messed it up. Hopefully I get this one done sometime.
um. i don’t get it. MILLIONS are suffering from human destruction of the environment. billions more will. we are doing nothing to stop it. how do i feel not depressed!!!!!!
Britt, (Dr. Wray?) I just heard your brilliant presence on Andy Revkin's podcast.
SustainaClaus in ConscienceLAND has been focusing on youth be'Claus in all the schools, universities and climate conferences attended, youth activism is "tolerated", in some cases "accommodated" and "listened to" (but not really heard) by the parents, educators and especially politicians - who are truly dismissive and disrespectful of young people's absolutely justified concerns. (SustainaClaus has attended every COP since the Paris Agreement in 2015, including the Glasgow disaster last year along with bringing the People’s SDG’s up Mt. Everest in 2017/18 and up the Swiss Alps with youth protesting the WEF in DAVOS 2020).
In the ConscienceVERSE we are taking an approach much closer to what I understand you to be doing... Honouring and giving young people their space - on their terms - to be upset, to grieve and to be validated and demand authentic, caring action from adults in power.
Wake-Up, Stand-Up, Speak-Up
ConscienceLAND is in the process of encouraging the "Summer Of L.O.V.E." (Lifestyle Of Voluntary Effort) this critical year with the low-key SDGx.LIVE …a bit like TEDx, but more of a TikTok vibe. Free-form LIVE short speeches standing up at the SDGpicnic in the “Ring of Truth” along with “ConscienceLARP” Live Action Role Playing theatrical skits to communicate concerns, feelings and share solutions.
Decentralized #EARTHmobilization
True,it's only a drop in the bucket, but for almost 20 years the "3fingerw" Sustainability Symbol (Society, Environment, Economy in Balance) has been shared every Change Wednesday around the planet by all ages and positions in life as our "ISR" or Individual Social Responsibility reclaiming agency in the People's Sustainable Development Goals…. Clearly the urgent counter strategy to make up for time wasted and the poor behaviour and track record of corporate CSR and the current “voluntary” ESG "governance" scam.
As a clear advocate for youth, and in constructive hope of your acceptance as a Citizen of ConscienceLAND, we welcome you as an ExtinctionFighter. and part of the ExtinctionSolution.com - SustainaClaus@gmail.com
This is awesome Britt - thank you for an excellent piece!!
I've definitely been one to say that action is the antidote to despair in the past so this was a great read for me.
So to make sure I'm understanding this right, I'm curious if you'd agree or what you'd tweak about the following. Would you say that external actions / activism are important/needed but aren't the antidote if they are the only thing that you do? And that the key point here is that you need to do the internal, emotional work first in order to handle eco anxiety/despair comprehensively?
Appreciate the help if you have time - no worries if you don't!
Hi Ryan! You've got it. External actions are absolutely crucial - we need them - but we aren't strengthening ourselves if that's all we do. We equally need to do our own internal activism to build up the resilience that's necessary to roll with these times. There's no judgment about which one comes first, as they are both continual processes that can work alongside each other. Mainstream rhetoric totally leaves that internal part out, which is damaging. Another way to phrase it might be "internal and external action are the antidote to despair" :)
Awesome, that makes sense! Thank you Britt :)
I recently discovered your blog through the NYT and it is truly the words and insight that I have been seeking but didn't know where to look. At this moment, I feel energised by being able to put my finger on the sore spot and identify it. Through therapy and a meditation practice, I've been able to reflect and process a lot of feelings, as well as allowing them to simply be. I've been overcome with anxiety about the climate crisis, and your articles are like a light in the darkness to illuminate the challenging path that I need to walk. Thank you for your well written articles, looking forward to reading many more and sharing with friends and family.
Wow Becca, it's wonderful to hear that these articles are helping a bit as you navigate these intense emotions. I've been there. Thanks for sharing.
I just stumbled upon this excellent piece. Thank you Britt.
Very much aligned with the questions we've been mulling over at Dark Optimism:
https://www.darkoptimism.org/2011/06/15/is-activism-therapy/
Thanks Shaun! I believe I heard an interview with you on the radio a few months ago regarding Lean Logic/Surviving the Future, which I found super interesting - very nice to see you here.
A pleasure to discover it Britt - I like what you've done with the place!
If you'd like to delve a little further into what I was discussing in that interview, I recommend this piece:
https://www.darkoptimism.org/2018/11/30/the-sequel-life-after-economic-growth/
For me, discovering that wider story that actually rings true in these times, aligns with my values and gives me meaningful work to do has proved a potent antidote to despair and anxiety, thus far.
But as you and Hickman say, only on the far side of grief:
https://www.darkoptimism.org/2014/12/21/dark-optimism-power-of-grief/
This week I'm glad to have opened the next run of our 'Surviving the Future: Conversations for Our Time' course, to create another space for people to 'talk about it' together over the next couple of months. And I don't doubt that grief work will be a big and appropriate part of it again.
In warm solidarity,
Shaun
Fantastic, thank you Shaun, will check these out!
Excellent. Do you know of any climate-aware therapists in the DC area?
I know that the Climate Psychiatry Alliance and the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America are working on putting together a directory of climate-aware therapists. I'll check in with them about when it might be available to the public, but so far, I think it is still under wraps. You might want to check out their websites though and email them!
Thank you for writing this. Full of insight and a real call for internal activism.
Much like what you do at Good Grief Network :)
Yes, beautiful. I love what you’re putting out here and the tone through which you’re doing it. Learning how to build our capacity for the dark emotions, the challenging sensations, the tension, anxiety and pain. How that brings us towards more wholeness, and the potential for human/social development that comes from that. Awesome!
Really appreciate that Liz, thanks!
Interesting article but I’m not sure I agree. I’m a clinical psychologist trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and now a full-time volunteer organiser with the Extinction Rebellion.
I’m also one of the people who says “activism is the best therapy”.
But I do very much agree that activism shouldn’t be used to squash emotions that arise. In my previous work life I was doing group therapy with severely self harming and suicidal people with severe early trauma. Our approach was “Accept your thoughts and feelings and be present (*all* feelings are welcome); Choose action based on your values; Take action (it’s what you *do* that counts).
The way I think about it is if I do *everything* I can (looking after myself so I don’t burn out) I can celebrate any wins and even if things turn out badly I can live without regrets knowing I did all I could.
It’s similar to the acceptance state of mind when working with severely suicidal people - do everything you can but let go of trying to ‘push the river’.
Thank you for sharing your perspective, Jane. These are interesting reflections based on a life of interesting work!
Thank you very much for writing this. I have been struggling with how to incorporate climate action into my art practice for years. I have stopped painting in order to work on this part time. I've started on many ideas over the years got nothing going. In hindsight I think my own anxiety has been factoring in a big way, impeding me in ways I wasn't aware of. I am currently working on something new, an illustrated essay about climate psychology and creativity and activism, trying to incorporate things like what Renee Lertzman talks about on her youtube video. Covid-19 coming along has messed with that project though, moving countries and working at home with kids doing online learning has definitely messed it up. Hopefully I get this one done sometime.
Thanks Marcel. Feel free to update me on the project you're working on when it's done - sounds super interesting!
um. i don’t get it. MILLIONS are suffering from human destruction of the environment. billions more will. we are doing nothing to stop it. how do i feel not depressed!!!!!!
Britt, (Dr. Wray?) I just heard your brilliant presence on Andy Revkin's podcast.
SustainaClaus in ConscienceLAND has been focusing on youth be'Claus in all the schools, universities and climate conferences attended, youth activism is "tolerated", in some cases "accommodated" and "listened to" (but not really heard) by the parents, educators and especially politicians - who are truly dismissive and disrespectful of young people's absolutely justified concerns. (SustainaClaus has attended every COP since the Paris Agreement in 2015, including the Glasgow disaster last year along with bringing the People’s SDG’s up Mt. Everest in 2017/18 and up the Swiss Alps with youth protesting the WEF in DAVOS 2020).
In the ConscienceVERSE we are taking an approach much closer to what I understand you to be doing... Honouring and giving young people their space - on their terms - to be upset, to grieve and to be validated and demand authentic, caring action from adults in power.
Wake-Up, Stand-Up, Speak-Up
ConscienceLAND is in the process of encouraging the "Summer Of L.O.V.E." (Lifestyle Of Voluntary Effort) this critical year with the low-key SDGx.LIVE …a bit like TEDx, but more of a TikTok vibe. Free-form LIVE short speeches standing up at the SDGpicnic in the “Ring of Truth” along with “ConscienceLARP” Live Action Role Playing theatrical skits to communicate concerns, feelings and share solutions.
Decentralized #EARTHmobilization
True,it's only a drop in the bucket, but for almost 20 years the "3fingerw" Sustainability Symbol (Society, Environment, Economy in Balance) has been shared every Change Wednesday around the planet by all ages and positions in life as our "ISR" or Individual Social Responsibility reclaiming agency in the People's Sustainable Development Goals…. Clearly the urgent counter strategy to make up for time wasted and the poor behaviour and track record of corporate CSR and the current “voluntary” ESG "governance" scam.
As a clear advocate for youth, and in constructive hope of your acceptance as a Citizen of ConscienceLAND, we welcome you as an ExtinctionFighter. and part of the ExtinctionSolution.com - SustainaClaus@gmail.com