Let’s Change Culture: Combating Crisis Fatigue
Staying Engaged and Energised in the Face of Climate Change
Welcome back to our "Let's Change Culture" series. In this instalment, we address the challenge of crisis fatigue—a common feeling of exhaustion and overwhelm that can arise when constantly confronting complex issues like climate change.
A group of over 60 creatives across the city contributed to the development of this series through a consultation process with The Art and Energy Collective supported by Plymouth Culture.
This collection is intended to be added to - So please feel free to add links or comments below to support each other to grow and develop.
Understanding and managing crisis fatigue is essential for sustaining motivation and effectiveness in your creative practice. It’s worth bearing in mind that your audiences may well be experiencing crisis fatigue. Here’s how you can stay engaged and energised. Reflecting on these tips, can help us consider what our audiences may need too.
Understanding Crisis Fatigue
What Is Crisis Fatigue?
Crisis fatigue occurs when individuals become overwhelmed by the constant exposure to crises, leading to feelings of helplessness, apathy, and burnout. For creatives addressing climate change, this can manifest as a loss of motivation, creativity, and emotional resilience.
Symptoms of Crisis Fatigue
Emotional exhaustion
Reduced sense of accomplishment
Detachment or cynicism
Decreased motivation
Difficulty concentrating
Strategies to Combat Crisis Fatigue
Prioritise Self-Care
Physical Well-Being
Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can reduce stress and boost your mood.
Healthy Diet: Eating nutritious foods can improve your overall well-being.
Sleep: Ensure you get enough rest to recharge your body and mind.
Emotional Well-Being
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices such as mindfulness and meditation can help manage stress and maintain emotional balance.
Therapy and Counselling: Talking to a mental health professional can provide support and coping strategies.
Set Realistic Goals
Break It Down
Small Steps: Break down large projects into manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Celebrate Milestones: Recognize and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.
Prioritise Impact
Focus on High-Impact Areas: Identify the areas where your creative work can make the most significant impact and prioritise those efforts.
Foster a Supportive Community
Build Connections
Peer Support: Connect with other creatives who are also addressing climate issues to share experiences, ideas, and support.
Join Networks: Engage with networks and organizations dedicated to climate action and sustainability.
Collaborative Projects
Team Up: Collaborate on projects to share the workload and bring diverse perspectives to your work.
Stay Informed, But Set Boundaries
Balanced Consumption
Curate Your Information: Choose reliable sources of information and limit exposure to negative news.
Scheduled Updates: Set specific times to catch up on climate news to prevent constant exposure.
Engage in Joyful Activities
Creative Exploration
Passion Projects: Dedicate time to creative projects that bring you joy and satisfaction.
Art for Fun: Allow yourself to create art without the pressure of addressing serious issues.
Recreational Activities
Hobbies and Interests: Engage in hobbies and activities unrelated to your work to recharge and maintain a balanced life.
Practice Gratitude and Positivity
Positive Mindset
Gratitude Journaling: Keep a journal to note things you’re grateful for each day.
Celebrate Successes: Focus on positive outcomes and the progress made, both in your work and in the broader movement.
Advocate for Systemic Change
Collective Action
Policy Engagement: Get involved in advocacy and policy change efforts to address the root causes of climate issues.
Community Organising: Work with community groups to build collective resilience and drive systemic change.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation
Stay Curious
New Skills: Continuously learn new skills and techniques to keep your creative practice dynamic and engaging.
Adaptation: Be open to adapting your approach based on feedback and new information.
Seek Inspiration
Look to Others
Inspirational Figures: Draw inspiration from other artists, activists, and leaders who have successfully navigated crisis fatigue.
Success Stories: Read about and share stories of successful climate action and creative solutions.
Crisis fatigue is a real and challenging issue for creatives addressing climate change. By prioritising self-care, setting realistic goals, fostering supportive communities, staying informed with boundaries, engaging in joyful activities, practicing gratitude, advocating for systemic change, continuously learning, and seeking inspiration, you can combat fatigue and sustain your motivation and effectiveness.
Remember, addressing climate change is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking care of yourself is essential for maintaining the resilience and creativity needed to make a lasting impact.
Further Information and Support on Crisis Fatigue and Climate Psychology in Plymouth and Beyond
Dealing with crisis fatigue and the psychological impacts of climate change can be challenging, but there are resources and support networks available to help. Here’s a guide to where you can find further information and support in Plymouth, Devon, and beyond.
Resources and Support in Plymouth and Devon
University of Plymouth
The University of Plymouth provides various resources and support services related to mental health and well-being, which can be crucial for managing crisis fatigue. Their sustainability hub also offers educational resources on climate change.
Dartington Trust
Dartington Trust in Devon offers programs and courses focused on arts, ecology, and social justice, providing a holistic approach to understanding and managing the impacts of climate change.
Mind Plymouth
Mind Plymouth offers mental health support services, including resources and counseling that can help individuals deal with anxiety and stress related to climate change.
Transition Town Totnes
Transition Town Totnes is a community-led initiative in Devon that focuses on sustainability and resilience. They offer workshops, events, and support networks for those dealing with climate-related stress and looking for community-based solutions.
National and International Resources
Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA)
The Climate Psychology Alliance offers resources, articles, and support networks for understanding and managing the psychological impacts of climate change. They provide access to climate-aware therapists and counsellors.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE)
CSE offers advice and resources on sustainable living and managing the psychological impact of climate-related issues. They provide support for both individuals and communities.
Mind (National)
Mind, the national mental health charity, provides information and support on a wide range of mental health issues, including those related to climate anxiety and crisis fatigue.
Psychology for a Safe Climate
This organisation offers resources and support for understanding the psychological effects of climate change and provides tools for resilience and coping strategies.
Action for Happiness
Action for Happiness promotes mental well-being and resilience, offering practical tips and community support to manage stress and anxiety related to climate change.
The Good Grief Network
The Good Grief Network runs a 10-step program to help individuals build resilience and find community support while dealing with eco-anxiety and climate grief.
TED Talks and Podcasts
Various TED Talks and podcasts explore climate psychology and offer insights from experts on how to manage crisis fatigue. Notable examples include:
TED Talk by Dr. Renée Lertzman on "How to Turn Climate Anxiety into Action."
Outrage and Optimism Podcast hosted by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac.
Managing crisis fatigue and the psychological impacts of climate change requires access to the right resources and support networks. Whether you’re in Plymouth, Devon, or beyond, there are numerous organisations and initiatives dedicated to helping individuals cope with these challenges. By seeking out educational resources, mental health support, and community networks, you can build resilience and find ways to stay engaged and motivated in the face of climate change.
Stay tuned for more insights and stories in our "Let's Change Culture" series, where we continue to explore the powerful role of the arts in fostering a sustainable future. Together, we can make a difference.
Remember! This collection is intended to be added to - So please feel free to add links or comments below to support each other to grow and develop.