The Age of Overwhelm

There is a growing epidemic afflicting people working in social change that is rarely talked about - burnout. Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, bestselling author of Trauma Stewardship, offers The Age of Overwhelm as the salve for healing.

Burnout is affecting people working towards social change and is a major obstacle slowing our potential for progress. The Age of Overwhelm reveals effective applications for self-care that ensures how readers can continue to show up to tackle systemic problems. A way to show up more effectively is to think small. The challenge to showing up is that everything is built into a big issue or obstacle that drains energy and becomes an insurmountable task, which fosters frustration and anxiety. The tools in this book are based on the general operating principle that less is more. Doing less of what we usually do and instead focusing on a "smaller" aspect results in more impact in general while also preserving our physical and mental well-being. The Age of Overwhelm distills four key elements that allow readers to continue contributing to causes without suffering burnout. Lipsky teaches readers how to work towards focused and achievable goals, release pain with self-care, and be open to continual learning while letting go of what can't be controlled. Particularly in times of political turmoil and increased isolation, there is a critical need for self-care for people who are working towards long-term equality.