Advocacy in Bite-Sized Pieces

How to Show Up Without Burning Out

Friends, the world feels overwhelming right now. With everything happening in the government, the uncertainty of our children's futures, and the glaring fear of rights being taken away, it's honestly too much at times. So how do we manage without just burying our heads in the sand? How can we do something without burning out? I've been asking myself the same questions, and here’s a little of what I’ve found.

1. Start Where You Are

Advocacy doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. It’s not always about leading protests, writing legislation, or single-handedly changing the system (though if that’s your calling, more power to you!). Sometimes, it’s as simple as educating a friend, showing up to a school board meeting, or making sure your child’s IEP reflects their actual needs. Small actions matter because they add up.

2. Focus on What You Can Control

It’s easy to spiral when we think about the big picture—how much needs to change, how much feels out of our hands. Instead, I try to ask myself: What is one thing I can do today? Maybe it’s signing a petition, sending an email to a legislator, or even just taking a moment to process and rest so I can keep going tomorrow. There is power in micro-movements.

3. Use Your Voice—In a Way That Feels Right

Not all advocacy looks the same. Some people are loud and outspoken, others work quietly behind the scenes. Some write, some educate, some organize. Whatever your strength is, lean into that. If sharing your experience on social media helps others feel seen, do that. If researching policies and breaking them down in an easy-to-understand way is your thing, do that. There’s no one “right” way to advocate, as long as you’re doing something.

4. Set Boundaries Without Guilt

We are not meant to carry everything all the time. Burnout helps no one—not you, not your family, not the people you’re trying to help. It’s okay to step back, to log off, to take a breath. Advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint, and rest is part of sustaining the work. Give yourself permission to unplug when you need to. The world will still be here when you’re ready.

5. Remember: Small Ripples Create Big Waves

If you’ve ever doubted whether your small actions matter, let me remind you: they do. Every conversation, every email, every choice to show up in whatever way you can—it all contributes to the bigger picture. Change rarely happens overnight, but collective action, even in tiny doses, is powerful.

Take Action in Under 15 Minutes a Day

If you’re looking for a simple way to make an impact, download the 5 Calls App today. It makes advocacy easy by giving you scripts and contact info for key decision-makers, helping you make a difference in under 15 minutes a day. Small, consistent action adds up—so let’s take that first step together.

The world is heavy, but you don’t have to carry it alone. Show up when you can, rest when you need to, and know that even the smallest acts of advocacy matter more than you think.

We’re in this together.