How do you recharge your feminist batteries

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

Just that really. Every day feels like Groundhog Day at the moment, both here and in RL. Just wondered if people had any ideas for recharging and getting their mojo back?

[LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy]

I went to a conference a while back that got me all fired up and was also lovely. Meeting up with people is nice too, so you're not always arguing. Do you have a RL feminist group?

TBH though, sometimes I just take a break and go read threads in the less-trolled bits of MN!

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

No, I don't. Problem is, I am currently a SAHM to two pre-schoolers. I found a few groups near me but they were all very 20-something-free-of-responsibility type groups. It's also not that easy for me to get out regularly in the evening as DH works away quite a lot.

Yes, I do tend to take breaks from bits of this board. But I think I need some quiet areas. But chat and AIBU often makes me want to cry - especially all those threads about assaults during childbirth and low self esteem and horrid men who have passed themselves off as good husbands. Maybe I need to get into crafting or camping or something

[LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy]

Sorry, that was daft of me.

I am precisely those 20-something-free-of-responsibility types.

I end up going onto the book threads to browse, nothing gets too feministy there I reckon. But yes, it is upsetting reading this and I know what you mean. Especially when you realize you're seeing the same threads over and over.

Sorry, wish I had something helpful to say.

[Lottapianos]

Great thread idea!

I listen to Tori Amos, re-read some Germaine Greer and some current feminist blogs (cruellablogspot and The F Word are good ones) and avoid watching the news! And it may sound a bit wanky but I find it also helps to catch up on sleep and eat well - there are so many horrendous things going on that it can be really upsetting trying to process it all so you need to take care of yourself so you can stay strong!

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

No, not daft at all LRD. Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. It's just that a lot of the issues that local groups are campaigning about aren't that relevant to my age and stage in life. You know, I can't go out and picket offensive nightclubs, and nor do I particularly want to at this point in my life. They are also very studenty, and linked to lots of alternative lifestyles like veganism. Nothing wrong with that at all, but not quite my thing.

Books is a good idea. I like to read

Lotta - I've never got on with Greer. Just can't manage her. She gets onto tasting menstrual blood and I just lose the thread. Thanks for the blog recommendations. Music is a good point too. Hadn't thought of that.

[Lottapianos]

Amanda, she can be quite out there I agree! I prefer 'The Whole Woman' to her earlier stuff.

[LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy]

Oh, no, you were fine, I just realized it was a rather stereotypically un-bechildrened view.

I do know exactly what you mean about groups, though, too.

I don't read a lot of heavy feminist lit but I like blogs too - this is great though quite heavy going on occasion because of subject matter:

therealsgm.blogspot.co.uk/

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

I read SGM too. She's great. Not sure if she's still around on MN under a new name after all that nastiness. Am rubbish at spotting name changes .

Actually, she inspired one thing I've done. I've spent 6 months just reading female authors. I've loosened up since, but already had a couple of books by male authors I've given up on after only a few pages. I read about 25 books I think, and it was a bit of a mind cleanse. Amazing how differently you see the world of literature en mass.

[LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy]

I do that too!

Not rigorously, but I really enjoy just thinking about it a bit.

Ooh ... this may just be me, but if you read the comments under Guardian articles - just stop. That is the single best thing for recharging batteries IMO.

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

Ha ha. I long ago stopped reading comments on Guardian articles. I got sucked into one too many on birth rights...

[Lottapianos]

Thanks for link to SGM's blog, she's great

[YouMakeMeWannaLaLa]

Joining for inspiration.

I find, and this is going to play into anti-feminists' hands, that I tend to read articles/threads that I know are going to be controversial AND I read the comments. I'm doing the fabled 'professionally offended' thing, I'm looking for stuff to be outraged by.

I mean, I don't actually trawl for offensive stuff then get upset but if I see a list of stories/blogs/threads I will select the ones that are likely divide people along fem/non-fem lines.

I do it to clarify and explore my own viewpoints and the arguments of others but it does make me grumpy and angry and hairy and I need to recharge, like you, OP.

Just a shame there's so bloody much to be grumpy and angry about

[Beachcomber]

my usual go to is to read something by Andrea Dworkin. she is inspiring - her writing and speeches, much of which is online are food for feminists.

i'm rereading "right wing women" at the moment, a book i first read when i was a bit too young/naive to appreciate.

it is searing feminist analysis with practically every sentence being a lightbulb. she just has such a way with words and a clarity and critical thinking ability that are extraordinary.

[UptoapointLordCopper]

Amanda you do need to get into the camping threads! They are the most relaxing. And sometimes quite weird, but in a good way. I also go on the recipes threads because I like cooking. And they are quite relaxing too. I find AIBU and even chat sometimes a bit stressful. Sometimes it's like feminism never happened.

I read a Sara Paretsky book and found that quite good. > LRD was it you who started the thread on DL Sayers? Did we ever talk about Paretsky and her VI Washawski books? The one I read was less escapist, but quite feminist.

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

I haven't been camping for about 20 years though. And then only about twice.

Recipes is good. I like to cook.

[Splitheadgirl]

I like to have a good chat with my mum. She is in her seventies, and for her whole life was a very pious Irish Catholic. She is very much of her time in one sense BUT....strange as it seems, she is also ahead of her time. She is the most intelligent, insightful woman, and even though she was brought up to be old fashioned (if that makes sense) she is perfect to talk through my feminist thinking with. She is so open to it all and to me that is pretty wondeful. She talks things through with me and is so open to having her mind changed...so different from almost all the other older people within the catholic community at home.