Affirmations to Get Through Pride Month
For all the organizers and activists who work harder in June
June is upon us again, which means it’s Pride Month.
Pride Month brings joy, festivities, and collective celebration for LGBTQ+ community members who often only have this month to openly embrace their identities. But it also brings an onslaught of emails, last-minute scheduling, endless Pride events, and little to no downtime until the Fourth of July.
Well, I should say it used to bring paid opportunities for me and many other activists like me. Statements and legislative actions by the Trump administration scared off many companies from investing in our communities. In fact, this year is the first time I’ve seen no brand deals for Pride Month.
Despite the lack of brand deals, I’m grateful to be connecting with people at Pride festivals across New York City and linking them to care. While the work is important, I’d be lying if I said Pride Month wasn’t exhausting.
After talking with others like me, I found solace in knowing I wasn’t alone in how I was feeling. I wanted to share these affirmations to remind all of us, those who carry our hearts, stories, and community work, of the importance of rest and boundaries.
If you know anyone in your life who works tirelessly in their activism or to make Pride events possible, please share this with them as a gentle reminder.
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Affirmations
I can’t be everything for everybody or be everywhere, and that is okay.
I am allowed to say no to things.
Done is better than perfect.
I am human, not a machine.
I don’t have to be visibly out and proud to have pride.
Rest is just as important as the work.
I have time and energy for the things that I want to have time and energy for.
Taking care of myself first helps me take care of community.
Opportunities that are meant for me will find me.
Whether you’re out here organizing Pride events, mobilizing community at a rally, tabling for your small business, or delivering a keynote, know that you also deserve to take up space, find joy, and rest your head before going back out into the world to speak out against social injustice.
Because (and it bears repeating) rest is just as important as the work.