Self-care is especially important for community managers because they’re often carrying the emotional load for multiple worlds – your work world with a community and colleagues, and your personal life with family, friends, and everything in between.
With all of the empathy, strategy, and tactical execution required around the clock, it’s no wonder community managers feel burned out.
What is Self-Care
Self-care is whatever recharges your physical, mental, and spiritual battery.
Self-care isn’t all bubble baths, rosé, and spa visits. Self-care isn’t prescriptive – what works for someone may not work for you. It’s important to know yourself and understand your unique needs (without judgment – there’s enough of that in the world already).
Types of Self-Care
Physical Self-Care
Many of TheCR Network members identified movement as a key piece of their self-care routine. Yoga, running, and long walks were the most frequently mentioned and it’s easy to see why – they can be done anywhere, any time, with minimal equipment.
Mental Self-Care
Community is key – even for community managers. As the folks behind TheCR Network, we’re admittedly biased in thinking that community is great, but it was nice to get some outside validation from our members who said that having a place they could go to for advice, mentorship, and an occasional vent session is priceless.
Spiritual Self-Care
Is owning a pet a spiritual experience? Many of our members said that spending time with their four-legged friend is one of the most soothing things on the planet. Meditation was a close second and it’s hard to argue with all of its scientifically-proven benefits.
How Do I Practice Self-Care?
Just start! Pack a nutritious lunch for yourself, take a walk during your lunch break, cuddle your pet, find a quiet corner and meditate for 8 minutes. Pro tip: aspiring teachers are always looking to practice teaching in front of people. Reach out to a local yoga or meditation studio and see if any of their teacher training graduates or trainees are interested in using your organization as a guinea pig. They’ll often do the first session for a reduced (or free) rate.
Get Started with Self-Care
With the help of some community friends, we put together a special ebook: "CMGR Self-Care: Advice and Ideas from 25 Community Leaders". In it, you’ll find advice from 25 community leaders for practicing meaningful self-care.
We’ve also included data about the community management role that may surprise you, taken from our Community Careers and Compensation 2020 report. You’ll also find self-care ideas ranging from meditation, stretches, and mindfulness exercises you can complete right at your desk.
We hope this book helps you find new ways to take care of yourself.
