Fueling the Marathon: How to Prevent Activist Burnout
Thu, 30 Oct 2025
In my previous post, The Long Game of Free Software, I discussed the nature of our struggle. It's not a sprint; it's a marathon - a generational fight against the entrenched power of proprietary software, which seeks to control and subjugate users.
This struggle is, first and foremost, an ethical one. We're fighting for the user's freedom. But a marathon runner who sprints the first mile will collapse long before the finish line. In our movement, this collapse is called burnout. It's not just a personal problem; it's a strategic threat to our cause. The proprietary Goliaths have vast resources. They can - and do - wait for us to exhaust ourselves.
Therefore, sustaining ourselves isn't a luxury but a necessary tactic. Burnout's the activist's greatest enemy, because it silences a voice that was once raised for freedom, turning passion into quiet. How, then, do we fuel ourselves for the long journey ahead?
We need to rest - not just from fatigue, but to stay strong. Your health - mental and physical - is a resource for the movement. Protecting it is important.
In that earlier postm I cited B.F. Skinner's positive reinforcement as crucial for sustainability. Proprietary firms define victory as control; we must define it differently.
A victory isn't just releasing a new GNU package. It's:
- Explaining our fight for freedom to a friend, even if they don't switch immediately.
- Fixing one persistent, annoying bug.
- Convincing a school or public office to use LibreOffice.
Everyone who reclaims computing is a true victory. These moments, no matter how small, are proof that our efforts matter. Celebrate them with your community. It's a way to acknowledge and appreciate the impact of your work.
Remember, you're not alone in this. When you feel overwhelmed, know that thousands are running alongside you. The support of your community is invaluable. I, for one, have found immense support at the FSF's LibrePlanet conference. It's given me a chance to connect with fellow activists, receive technical advice, and most importantly, find the emotional support to resist burnout. This is why I support holding that conference in person. It wouldn't provide the same support otherwise.
When the world dismisses freedom, your community shows you're not alone - this fight is just. Share burdens and ask for help. You can't be an expert everywhere. Find your niche - documentation, coding, advocacy, or organizing - and trust others to cover the rest.
The most challenging task for passionate activists is saying "no." Every non-free program, unjust "Terms of Service," and new surveillance device calls us to action. You can't answer every call.
A soldier who never sleeps, never eats, and never repairs their equipment will lose the war. In activism, setting boundaries is like ensuring a soldier takes time to rest and prepare so they can continue fighting effectively.
Log off. Stepping away isn't betrayal. Read, walk, or spend time with family or friends. We fight for dignity, including our own.
Delegate. If you run a project, trust others to help. Build a movement, not a monument to yourself.
Accept imperfection. Not every battle can be won today. Sometimes, file a bug, voice your ethics, and focus on winnable fights.
Your actions matter - today, tomorrow, and for the future, so take care of yourself. Stay healthy, stay engaged, and refuse to let burnout silence you. This isn't "slacking off." It's recharging for the coming battles, ensuring you can continue for years to come. The future depends on it.