Something’s Gotta Give

Recently, I was talking to a few colleagues and friends (also colleagues) and we all complained about how much work there is to do. We all have administrative responsibilities, so we thought about the mental load of running departments and centers. Some of us have nuclear families, so we talked about the administration of a family and a life. All of us teach, so we discussed the ins-and-outs of running a classroom, advising students, writing letters of recommendation. Some of us research, so we talked about making time for that. Some of us have disabilities, so we griped and laughed about managing that. Every person felt they were dropping at least one of the balls they were juggling.

And, the guilt. So much guilt.

For each person, I recall them hinting that their lives were a house of cards, always on the verge of falling, and they were the wrecking ball. Obviously, this is awful.'

I could give you an earful about the structural inequalities that cause such difficulties. I could give you an earful about how these systems devour people based on race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, size, and myriad other things. The fact is this: there is no way to self-care your way out of structural inequality.

I don’t have a solution.

What I do have is an approach.

All those balls you’re juggling… let one or some of them drop. Actively (not passive aggressively) relinquish the things that you know you can. Speak up about structural problems or refuse to carry those burdens alone.

Something has to give. And it damn sure can’t be you.