CollectionPlan to Thrive

Plan to Thrive was a project which supported and promoted the health and wellbeing of people and groups engaged in working for social and ecological justice.

Plan to Thrive challenged activist cultures and identities which emphasised stoicism, isolation and joylessness. Burn-out is not inevitable and it’s possible to live happy and healthy lives while working to change the world.

Plan to Thrive was a shared blog and workshop series which is no longer operating. Some of the most popular articles from the project are gathered in the Commons Library.

  • A cup of black tea on a table

    Coming Down from Stress

    To be fresh and ready for the challenges of social change we also need quality time off. Here are some tips for getting the  most out of a break, whether a longer holiday, weekends or any captured moment for potential relaxation.

  • Arial view of a road through a forrest. The road curls back on itself

    Hope and Activist Burnout

    Experiencing defeats contributes to many people losing hope, burning out, or just dropping out of activism. If we can set up our organisations and social movements to function effectively we’re more likely to foster hope and keep engaged and emotionally strong activists.

  • Close up of the head and shoulders of a movable artist's model

    Ideas for Embodied Activism

    Overwhelming events happen and depending on our degree of privilege, daily stressors can be constant. Unless we are in crisis and/or an immediate life threatening situation it’s incredibly beneficial to spend time cultivating resources which support your health, embodiment, connectedness and feelings goodness.

  • A large group of women sit in a room talking animatedly.|An abstract

    Consciousness Raising

    Consciousness raising was a key element of the second wave women’s movement enabling women to recognise that the personal is political. This article gives an overview of group consciousness raising processes relevant for any group based on a shared identity or experience of oppression.

  • A form with a table with two columns and 5 rows titled 'Reviewing the Activist Year (Make a copy of this sheet and fill it in)'.

    Reviewing your Activist Year

    Why not take some time out to reflect on the year that was, before jumping in to plans for the next? Different approaches to reflection are explored including journalling, art and ritual. Plus there’s a handy worksheet which you can use (at any time of the year).

  • Two transmasculine people sitting together and having a serious conversation

    Organise Yourself Healthy

    Community organisers (and other change agents) have some excellent tools that can maximise the likelihood of making healthy goals a reality. This article will tune up your organising smarts as well as your health and wellbeing.

  • book cover with The Commons library bookmark

    The Happy, Healthy Nonprofit: Strategies for Impact without Burnout [Book review]

    Analysis of Beth Kanter & Aliza Sherman’s argument that nonprofits should transform their workplace culture to have more productive & happier workers.

  • book cover of hope in the dark

    Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit: Book Review

    Hope in the Dark ­was written by Rebecca Solnit to help activists and campaigners find hope in times of struggle. Here Matt Ross reviews the American author’s arguments for keeping the faith in times of despair.

  • front cover of The Transition Handbook

    Our Hearts in Transition: Book Review

    A book review of The Transition Handbook by Rob Hopkins with emphasis on its insights around the emotional & psychological impact of climate change.

  • Coffee is poured from a metal jug into a large and unstable stack of coffee cups sitting on a wooden table.

    Personal ‘traps’ that contribute to activist burnout

    This article explores some of the ‘cognitive errors’ or ‘traps’ that contribute to activist burnout. Read through this list and see if you might need to adjust your perspective, in the interests of your health, wellbeing and effectiveness. 

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