We're all concerned about the climate. That concern can be wearing, to say the least. Many young people now suffer from climate anxiety, and some climate organizers are “burning out.”
After the year we've had, this might sound all too familiar.
We need to encourage young people, activists, and teachers of all ages to nourish themselves. As a community, we need to offer support to each other, to give each other permission to slow down and engage in self-care.
Often we try to do too much in too short a time, rather than pacing ourselves for the lifetime mission to which we are called.
And so, on the second Thursday of May, we invite you to do nothing — for the climate!
What’s that mean? Well, the accentuation is actually on the nothing. In other words, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything for the climate (i.e. give up for a day). Rather, for one day, we should intentionally do nothing for the climate. The climate needs us to do more nothing—as it is our pursuit of growth and more, more, more (whether profit, stuff, or children) that is at the heart of our sustainability crisis.
How you do nothing is up to you, but we suggest taking a day away from the fight, away from emails, from work, from school; from the news, from TV shows, movies, and definitely social media. We suggest keeping your devices off completely if you can, and — if you can take a personal day, a mental health day, a vacation day — take one.
Make it a day for relaxing, chilling, nourishing your soul, and reconnecting to the ineffable spirit of being.
To learn more and sign the “Do Nothing” pledge, see Gaianism.org