There's a lot of truths about advocacy in Ohio, and, advocacy in general. But, a couple of them are both obvious and hidden at the same time, but, very real.
1. It's a BRUTAL profession!
The things we see in our work/volunteer work would make anyone's stomach turn. Including very horrible examples of abuse and negelect, and people and families barely hanging on and just trying to get through the day. Plus, dealing with politicians, policymakers, and, putting yourself, and your story, out there is no cakewalk either.
2. On top of all that, you have to deal with your health conditions and/or disabilities! Ever attended and sat through a full day of meetings even though you were in massive pain, or just not having a good mental health day? Yep, I have! I went on calls even when I was sleep-deprived, sick, having a migraine, the list goes on. Cue what you want to say for the visual description,  "I'm laying on my side with my headset on and my Ipad next to me because I feel like I just got run over by a semi. But, I'm still here ya'll! Although I might not be able to respond to your email for a week."     
3. It takes a toll on you, physically, mentally, and emotionally

With all that you have going on in truths 1 and 2, it's no wonder that this is another truth. This stuff can, does, and will break you down. It will and can take a toll on you. This one is something I've been having to stare down the barrel for the past few months. It's why I took 2 months off in April, and, I just took more time off from certain things. Plus, sometimes, (ok, more often than not) I seem to try and channel my inner cat, thinking that I have nine lives. Your trauma will be reactivated at certain times too. I know because I've lived it.


But, all jokes and kidding around aside, these are serious truths and issues. While every one experiences this stuff to an extent at their job and/or volunteer work, if you're an advocate, you're a lot more susceptable to this stuff. So, in honor of August being Wellness Month, I decide to write about what MY version of wellness is and looks like. Every one's version of wellness is different, and, will be made up of different things. But, I wwanted to share mine, and, I hope that by doing so, it gives you some tools to put in your advocacy well-being toolbox. But, I also have a burning question.
I want to know, what does your version of wellness look like?
With that in mind, here's my version of wellness.


Feature 1. Humor

This goes for anything, but, especially advocacy, or life with a disability. You can either laugh, or go insane. Me, I choose laughter! Yes, I even laugh at myself. You can laugh privately off camera, when a politician stars spouting nonsense. You can laugh at the logic (or more often than not) lack of, when they make rules and decisions. You can laugh at the obsurdity of someone being told what they are and aren't allowed to use their transportation money for in self-direction. You can even say something like, "I don't smell a thing!" and laugh if you have no sense of smell, or offer to give your Dad  ride to the hospital to help Mom with breakfast, if you're blind. Trust me, the list is endless! Should you laugh at every thing, and will you be able to laugh at every thing? No, you won't. But, try and find the humor when and where you can. Yes, even if you crack yourself up. Because, if you don't, it's almost a guarantee, that you will have a mental health breakdown or two.



Feature 2. R&R (Reading a good book, and relaxing)

I love to read! This is one of my oldest coping mechanisms. I have used this since I was in school, and, for me, it's an escape hatch. I don't get to do it as often as I used to, but, when I do, it's awesome! I read just about every thing too. I both read on my braille display, and listen to audiobooks.

Feature 3. Turn Up The Music! Yes, do it even when you're working!

My family is very musical, I grew up in a household where music was always playing. I listen to just about every thing, and I have so many favorite artists and songs, that it's hard for me to pick a favorite! Although I will say, one of my favorite artists is Citizen Soldier. I listen to every thing from the radio to music streaming services. Yes, I even put my readphones on, then, start jamming while I'm doing the never-ending task of paperwork. I also listen when I've had a tough day, or to try and get me through a bad mental health day, or just need to shut the world out for a while. Timetimes, if I need to reignite the advocacy fire under my feet and rear end, I'll put on one of my as I call it, "Advocacy anthems."
One thing that I've been thinking about off and on, is making a playlist called Advocacy Anthems on Spotify which I use most often, and maybe YouTube Music. This is where I'd put all those advocacy anthems that I have. I'm also kicking around the idea of making it collaborative, and making it so that people can download it, or save it to their music libraries on Spotify and/or YouTube Music. A couple of my advocacy anthems are:
Strong for somebody else by Citizen Soldier
Every day hero by Citizen Soldier
Battlefield by Srvcina


Feature 4. Having an activity outside of advocacy that you either help out with, or attend


Every week, the NFB. Ohio Community Service Devision puts on Happy Hour, where we play songs that fit a different theme each week. I put the flyers together for it, and send them out the night before. I have also been a DJ. and, help out the regular DJ. as well. I'm also a member on the committee for this event. What I try to do, is prep the next 2 months worth of flyers ahead of time, and send them to someone who helps make them look pretty. It's highly enjoyable for me! Plus, when I'm there, it's a chance for me to hit the reset button.

Feature 5. Something I Just Recently Added

I just had to take 2 months off, and, I just extended my time off. I hated to do it, but, I had to do it. I had to protect my mental health, and, I thought I'd be ok, but, I had to face the reality that I still wasn't.


Feature 5. Soundscape

Sometimes, I listen to the waterfall sound effect also when I need to relax, or shut the world out a little bit.          


Features that are buggy and still a work-in-progress

1. Setting and holding boundaries
I'm still working on this, though I have made progress. Plus, I think this is something we're all working on all the time.

2. Getting enough sleep
Who has stayed up until the wee hours of the night doing paperwork, thinking about a case, or just getting prepped for the next day, or doing all of the above? I have, and then, yes, I would go to calls the next day shere hours later. Cue me chugging another 16 OZ. Coke can just to get through the day, and then doing it all again. Then, after all is said and done using the weekend to catch up on sleep, self-care, or even more paperwork. Or, being more tired and sleepy than hungry.

3. Trying to get at least one meal down
This is easier said than done sometimes. Either because I'm more sleepy than hungry, or, I just don't have it in me to eat.

4. Putting myself first

When you're an advocate you're on-call 24/7! So, doing this is easier said than done. But, I'm trying. That's part of why I took time off.


Something I sometimes do as well

Sometimes, I use an app called Finch. It's a self-care game where you get a bird, and you get to name it, and, you send it on adventures whenever you do things to take care of yourself. You can write goals, do the writing exercises, breathing exercises, listen to soundscapes, and even go on journeys! You can also earn rainbow stones which you can then use to buy things for your birdhouse. They also have seasonal events, where they have different items you can win as rewards for energizing your finch, and doing self-care. It has some accessibility issues, but, can be used somewhat, and is available on The Apple App Store and Google Play. There's a free and paid tier. However, if you cannot afford a paid subscription, there's a monthly raffle you can enter, and, if your name is drawn, you can be given a month subscription of Finch Plus by a guardian!

Closing Thoughts

I hope I've given you some tools that you can put in your toolkit. I would love to hear what your wellness tools are in your toolboxes!