Healing from Burnout: A BIPOC Educator's Journey

The Toll of Youth Advocacy Work

For 10 years, I worked in youth development with incarcerated and marginalized young people. The work left me with:
- Secondhand trauma from systemic injustices
- Survivor's guilt about my relative privilege
- Emotional exhaustion from constant advocacy

Like many BIPOC educators, I sacrificed my wellbeing while helping others navigate broken systems. I forgot that sustainable change requires both community support and self-care.

The Breaking Point: Recognizing Educator Burnout

Common signs I experienced:
- Chronic fatigue that felt "like graffiti on my bones"
- Imposter syndrome about my role
- Difficulty maintaining hope for systemic change

I realized I needed the same healing I encouraged in others. My turning point came when I attended a BIPOC educator retreat with Space Between, a nonprofit bringing mindfulness to schools.

Finding Sanctuary: A BIPOC Mindfulness Retreat

Why Specialized Spaces Matter

For marginalized educators, retreats designed by and for BIPOC individuals offer:
- Cultural understanding without explanation
- Shared language around systemic trauma
- Permission to prioritize self-care

My Retreat Experience

Key moments that fostered healing:
1. Arrival: The smell of coffee and familiar BIPOC faces created instant safety
2. Community Circle: Hearing others' stories dissolved my imposter syndrome
3. Mindful Practices: Singing bowls, meditative walks, and deep conversations

Lessons for Sustainable Social Justice Work

3 Key Takeaways

1. Redefine "Educator": All roles supporting youth matter - teachers, mentors, advocates
2. Rest is Resistance: Particularly for BIPOC bearing systemic burdens
3. Healing is Collective: We recover in community, not isolation

Moving Forward with Radical Self-Care

The retreat taught me:
- Burnout diminishes our ability to create change
- Self-love fuels sustainable activism
- Our light shines brightest when we tend our own flames first

Now I approach youth work differently - not as a martyr, but as a whole person modeling balance. The revolution needs us well-rested.