“I felt seen for the first time with the hard feelings I sometimes struggle with.”
“LOVE for my people, my family and my staff.”
“Feeling grateful that a session like this exists and to see mental health become a priority.”
“Loving support.”
“Peers – We are not alone.”
These were some of the gifts participants wrote they were leaving the “Wellbeing: The Hidden Catalyst for More Powerful Impact” workshop with. I facilitated this recently with veteran animal advocate Anbarasi Boopal at the Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit in Delhi.
🔆 I shared with them on the wellbeing challenges animal advocates in Asia experience, from burnout and depression to suicidal ideation.
We took a silent pause to connect to the possibility that those of us in the room may be quietly facing those very issues. I guided us to fill our hearts with compassion for ourselves, then radiate it to everyone in the room, then everyone in the Summit, and out to everyone in Delhi and beyond.
🔆 They picked quotes their hearts connected to from interviewees we had done on burnout and stress in the farmed animal movement in Asia and did a guided reflection and discussion. Some had just met but they shared openly.
One participant came up with the powerful term “self-abandonment” – where one’s own needs and wellbeing have been abandoned as they focus on the animals.
One said that her favourite image on our slide deck was the one showing how leaders play an important role in creating the work culture which then impacts work performance and animals. This vital link is often under-appreciated.
🔆 With vulnerability and authenticity, Anbu shared her journey on wellbeing as a leader and long-time advocate. It was pure joy and flow working with her. When values align, strengths are complementary, and the bond is deep, collaboration truly feels light and effortless.
🔆 Everyone received an evidence-based wellbeing poster and an inspirational pop-up card with different messages on the theme of Hope. Some said it was just what they needed to hear. And we gave access to a list of pro-social leadership resources and more.
🔆 When I bumped into some participants during the Summit, they expressed appreciation for the highly interactive nature of the session.
Some continued the conversation with raw honesty on their personal journey or the movement’s wellbeing challenges – on burnout culture, that the message for leaders was important, that those who need to learn on this topic the most may not do so etc. Listening to such voices from the ground helps me reflect on what more could be done.
Huge gratitude to the organisers for making space for this topic, to Anbu for being a fabulous project-partner, to our wonderful participants and to our visionary funders for believing in our work.