Burnout is a system problem

It's not a weakness, inadequacy or something we end by 'being stronger' or 'pushing through'. 

It’s a result of ways of working that do not support us, and a symptom of a dysfunctional society.

It’s a system problem manifesting in individuals and so there is work to do at two levels. 

First, within us - our bodies, hearts and minds. 

Secondly, as a community, in how we come together, the working styles we embody and our relationship to conflict, scarcity and belonging.  

We need to stop thinking of resilience as endurance, and instead treat it as a product of thriving.

This is not a wellness program. 

Internal Revolution goes to the root of burnout, and empowers you to make the individual and collective changes needed to not just struggle by, but thrive.

Over five weeks, Internal Revolution will take you on a journey inside out, starting with:

  • Understanding the root causes of burnout, including internalised capitalism & the emotional weight of changemaking.

  • Your body's stress responses, and practices you can use to calm an overwhelmed nervous system & heal stress in the body.  

  • Honouring your emotional needs & boundaries. Because real self care - indeed, self-preservation - isn't yoga or face masks, but caring for your emotional, physical and spiritual needs.

  • Your purpose & callings in changemaking. Stories of saving the world perpetuate the danger mode in our body, and it becomes easy to crash and burn. This module lays the foundations you need for sacred & long-haul work.

  • Collective Care.  You'll learn about burnout culture, and the relational causes of burnout.  You'll be empowered to work with your community or organisation to end burnout using collective storytelling, ritual and collective visioning,

Internal Revolution is designed by and for changemakers, to give you the skills, tools and community you need to end burnout, and create communities of thriving.

Who is Internal Revolution for?

Joanna Macy defines an activist as anyone who is active for a purpose bigger than personal gain, and that's exactly who this program is for.

Maybe you're a frontline activist, volunteer, non-profit worker or social entrepreneur.  Whatever you do, you know a more beautiful world is possible. 

You feel things.

You see things.

And you know change is possible.

But you also know that burnout is not the path, and if we're to create the cultural & systemic shifts we need, then we need new ways of healing, working and thriving.  

About Internal Revolution

The Breakdown

  • Week 1: Burnout is a System Problem

    Week 1 we unpack how and why we burnout, including internalised capitalism, the emotional toll of change-work and the importance of doing the work you feel called for.

  • Week 2: The Body Doesn't Lie

    We can’t think our way out of stress, though that is often what we try to do - to create solutions & 'fix' the problem. But we also need to respond to stress at the level of the body, using feelings & sensations.

    This week will explore the role of the body in both stress & thriving, and empower you with tools to end the stress response, rather than place a temporary band-aid over the symptoms. Expect a body-first approach, with hands on, practical somatic exercises to calm your nervous system.

  • Week 3: Balance, Needs & Boundaries

    Self care is often commodified into bubble baths, yoga and face masks. The idea that we can 'wellness' our way out of burnout. This isn't true though, and real self care is a little messier.

    This week is all about honouring your emotional, physical & spiritual needs, finding balance in a world that often demands otherwise.

  • Week 4: Sacred Foundations

    Change can be slow, and whether it's the climate crisis or anti-racism - the work ahead will take more than one generation. Understanding your purpose in changemaking is how you maintain hope & resilience.

    These lessons unpack our relationship to time, ancestors, sacred callings and lay foundations for long-haul work.

  • Week 5: Shifting Cultures

    Thriving isn't something we do alone, and creating cultures that support our wellbeing requires not just a change from us as individuals, but us as a community, in how we come together.

    In this module you'll learn about burnout culture, and the power of cyclical working & following nature's guidance.

    You'll also learn tools for managing conflict, collective storytelling & visioning, and how you can make real, lasting change to end burnout in your community.

The Structure

Internal Revolution begins on Wednesday, 9 March 2022 and takes place over five weeks. 

Each week you'll receive access to video content, reflection prompts, worksheets & meditations. This is the primary course content, and can be completed at your own pace.

Optional live community calls will take place each week of the course to cover the module content in more depth with Q&A. 

These calls will be recorded if you can't make it, and will take place on:

Community Call 1
Wednesday, March 16
7am UK | 9am SAST | 6pm Sydney | 8pm New Zealand

Community Call 2
Thursday, March 24
7am UK | 9am SAST | 6pm Sydney | 8pm New Zealand

Community Call 3
Wednesday, March 30
8am UK | 9am SAST | 6pm Sydney | 8pm New Zealand

Community Call 4
Wednesday, April 6
9am UK | 10am SAST | 6pm Sydney | 8pm New Zealand

Community Call 5
Wednesday, April 13
9am UK | 10am SAST | 6pm Sydney | 8pm New Zealand

Testimonials

Jill M Johnson

Community Cultural Artist and Community Teacher

I have spent my entire professional career working in the nonprofit world across a range of disciplines from the arts to social justice. And the settings just became harder and harder and harder to tolerate and finally I stopped. All of it. Sat on a chair. Looked out the window at clouds. So burned out that I couldn't--I just couldn't.

Internal Revolution has been the most rewarding, lovely, compassionate, gentle, focused, and yet medicinal program that has healed wounds and given me new ways to go forward. Laura is a brilliant original thinker and synthesizer and I looked forward to the lessons and the calls. My co-participants were wonderful as well. I could be safe and honest and well-met. I look forward to participating in more of Laura's work.

Stephen

Greens Campaigner

After doing Laura's course I am better equipped to care for myself and others in my team, so we can thrive in the long-term to keep working for change. Some concepts were new and confronting like "internalised capitalism". Some concepts were revived, like listening to my body in fresh ways to know when to set boundaries. Reflecting on "norms" of how we wrok together was also very useful. I have changed the way I relate to my team, and now allow more space for fun and re-energising "non-productive" activities. Laura was a caring and articulate presenter and facilitator. I recommend this course to anyone wanting to flourish in our work for a fairer world.

Kaye

Climate & Environmental Activist

I enrolled in the Internal Revolution course because, as a climate and environmental activist, I felt like I was embroiled in an enormous battle and sometimes this was overwhelming. I am committed to the long haul, so I needed to learn a better way to avoid burnout, to manage my everyday life and work, and to find ways to thrive.

Laura is a wise teacher. She is compassionate and down-to-Earth. It was great that, although the course adopted a wholistic reflection and coaching approach, the material was soundly aligned with recent scientific research on the mind, the brain, the body and mindfulness.

Through the course I have developed a deep understanding of how I can work in ways that support me. I learned tools and strategies to help avoid burnout so I can answer my calling in ways that are sustainable rather than depleting.

I highly recommend this course for those working – whether paid or unpaid – in fields of change making and activism.

Price

All prices listed in Australian Dollars.

  • $500.00

    Price in AUD. This is approximately £260 or €300.

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Facilitator

Activist & Coach

Laura Hartley

Hi, I’m Laura.

I’m an activist, writer and founder of an online school for changemakers & activists.

I believe that each of us has a role to play in creating a more beautiful world, and that if we're serious about dismantling systems of oppression, we need to examine how and where these systems reside within us, and as us.

The work of this school & these courses if to help you heal burnout culture, deepen your impact, and create the conditions for social healing & collective thriving.

In my free time, you can find me engaged in non-violent climate activism, travelling, salsa dancing, gluten free baking or listening to Krista Tippett’s On Being podcast.

Follow more on Instagram at @laura.h.hartley

FAQ

  • When does this course start?

    Wednesday, March 9 and it runs for five weeks.

  • Is this course live or recorded?

    You'll receive videos, audio & worksheets you can watch at your own pace, but will line up with our weekly live community calls. Recordings will be available if you cannot make the live call.

  • How long do I have to complete this course?

    You have access to the video course for at least one year, though the live calls are only taking place between March 16 and April 13.

  • I can't afford this. Do you offer scholarships?

    Yes! If price is an obstacle for you, I offer a limited number of pay-what-you-can spots for this program. You can reach out to me at [email protected] with what you do and why you want to join this program to learn more.

  • I have another question....

    No worries. Just email me at [email protected]

Price

See the FAQ for more.

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