I don’t know about you, but I’m absolutely exhausted.

It’s no great secret that politics is, quite a lot of the time, a tough game to play. Even for the most seasoned of veterans, the independence referendum has been on another level entirely. Whether you pounded the streets, knocked on doors, hung up posters, or simply just voted Yes, your efforts have been commendable – we didn’t get 45% of the vote by accident.

With turnout at record-breaking levels, Scotland has recently been lauded as the most politically engaged country in the world – this is a title of which we should be immensely proud, on whichever side of the fence you find yourself. However, all of this exuberance comes at a price – the drained and fatigued mind and body, known all too well to activists as the dreaded burnout.

I write this as an ardent supporter of Scottish independence, and as someone who is currently emerging from the throes of said burnout, and if there’s one thing that I hope you take from reading this, it’s that it’s completely fine to take some time away from politics. Indulging in things that help you to relax, unwind and recuperate is something that I actively encourage. Whilst this may seem counter-intuitive to some, it’s of vital importance to the independence movement that we look after ourselves as much as possible. We simply cannot fight if we are running on empty.

Indeed, as Audre Lorde once said “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare”.
Simply put, self-care is just as important as active campaigning, especially when you’re running a political marathon, or, if like me, you’re living with illnesses/disabilities.

For me, it’s taking time out to watch old episodes of Casualty on YouTube or mindlessly playing the Sims (we all have our quirks!), but however your self-care manifests itself, be sure to prioritise it. Looking after your health is nothing you should ever feel ashamed about or guilty for doing, and always remember that it’s okay to say ‘no’ – nobody alone can fix everything, even with the best of intentions.

I know that we can achieve independence, and that we will achieve independence, but working towards a better future should never come at the expense of your health. It took me, much like all activists, a few years to truly ascertain my boundaries. Even when you’ve figured them out, sticking to them is easier said than done – taking a step back is an essential activist skill!

In the age of modern technology, knowing our boundaries can be even more challenging, not least with the advent of the smartphone. Our world of relentless and incessant updates, fuelled by the almost constant internet access that most of us experience, has actually become the Achilles heel of many a campaigner. No matter how committed you might be, in theory, to the idea of disconnecting from the world wide web, trust me when I say that the lure of Facebook can crush even the strongest of resolves.

With all of this in mind, I leave you with a challenge: try to leave your phone and other internet- enabled devices off for just a couple of hours today. Even that small amount of breathing space can do wonders for the weariest of souls, despite potential misgivings. If you consider doing just one thing this week, please make time for yourself. The independence movement needs you to be strong and fighting fit; but aside from campaigning, your health is more important than anything else – don’t neglect it.