Dear Rey: On Activism and Burnout
How to sustain ourselves and protect our communities
Welcome to Dear Rey! This is an advice column where we talk about what it means to live, love, grieve, and grow as transgender and queer people—alongside the allies who support us. Each week (or whenever I have the energy), I answer a real question submitted by a reader with intention and care.
Want to submit a question? Email me at reyandthearchive@gmail.com with the subject “Advice Column,” along with your name and location, or let me know if you'd prefer to stay anonymous.
A reader writes:
Dear Rey,
I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by all the anti-trans laws and the constant negativity online. It’s like every day there’s a new attack on our rights. I want to stay informed but also protect my mental health. Do you have any advice for balancing activism and self-care when it feels like the world is always on fire?
From,
Jules
Hi Jules,
Thank you for reaching out. I know this is a really difficult time for transgender and gender-diverse people, and it’s completely valid to feel overwhelmed by the constant attacks on our rights. It’s important to stay informed, but it’s just as important to recognize your own capacity and find ways to ground yourself.
Grounding can look different for everyone. I suggest carving out a quiet moment, grabbing a pen and paper, and writing down a few activities that bring you joy and help you feel centered. This might be drawing, photography, taking evening walks around your neighborhood, or simply breathing deeply for a few minutes.
Let the activity bring you back to the present. Remind yourself that you are here, that you are loved, and that your life matters.
Con mucho amor,
Rey 🌻
Recommended Resources
Insight Timer
A free meditation app with guided meditations, talks, and music from global teachers to help you rest, restore, and reconnect.Rest for Resistance
A trans-led, grassroots initiative that creates healing spaces and mental health resources for queer and transgender people of color, centering rest as a radical act of community care and liberation.Beyond Survival: Strategies and Stories from the Transformative Justice Movement — Ejeris Dixon and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
A book redefines self-care as collective care. This book centers disabled, trans, and BIPOC voices, offering hope and a framework for resilience and healing.
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