What are the range of issues that affect our ability (and desire/willingness) to pay attention to self-care?

The inability to practice authentic, sustainable self-care most likely began in childhood where our early patterning begins. If healthy modeling does not take place due to alcoholism, addictions, abuse or untreated mental health issues, it is likely a child will grow up to be other-directed (i.e, cares for the needs of others before he cares for his own needs. Often children play the role of the parent to adults who are unable to care for themselves.

Activism can be difficult, dangerous, and draining work. We are forced to juggle enormous workloads, chronic stress, and exposure to trauma. There seems to be a dangerous perception within the community that we must work to eradicate human rights abuses at the expense of our own health and well-being, and that a truly committed activist works to achieve their goals regardless of the personal costs. As a result, we are often hesitant to speak about our own stress, burnout, and secondary trauma. Jane Barry, in her article "What's the Point of the Revolution if We Can't Dance", proposes several strategies to improve activist sustainability...

What does self-care entail? Self-care entails a myriad of strategies designed to address stressful working conditions as well as to ensure more sustainable well-being.