Note: I am far too late in posting this. It doesn’t leave you with much time to do anything about it, and I apologize. But I do hope you will read and consider what part you might want to have in this important cause.
Holiday Hustle
J here. It's been a while since I’ve posted. Last month we made the move from our inner city apartment to a basement suite closer to work and church. Two weeks later we flew to California to visit relatives. We just got back from that, and suddenly Christmas was upon us. So I am grabbing a few moments for writing, between unpacking and decorating and list pondering.
What I want to write about today is a bit off topic for this blog. I won’t be dealing with a mental health issue per se, but I will draw a link for you, and I don’t think anyone will be upset with me for wandering a bit from the central point of this blog. (Right?) ;-)
But... it's still ERP
This month I have taken on an unusual ERP challenge. For those of you who don’t know, Exposure Response Prevention or ERP is basically the treatment for OCD, and it sucks. I have written a little about it in the past, and plan to write a more in-depth post as part of a recovery series in the future. Since this post isn’t really meant to be about my own mental health issues, I’ll just say very briefly that ERP is basically facing your fears.
My ERP this month involves restricting my wardrobe to just two dresses. OK, you say, that sounds a bit difficult, especially in the dead of winter in Canada, but scary? What’s so scary about that? Well, I have this admittedly weird compulsion to only re-wear a piece between washings after it’s been hanging in my closet for at least two days. I figure that gives the germs a good chance to die! It keeps my anxiety manageable, and cuts down on the laundry I do. But it’s ridiculous, and I know it. So this month, I am challenging that fear. I’ve even worn the same dress two days in a row, pulling it over my head and breathing slowly to calm my pounding heart, reminding myself that the germs probably aren’t dangerous, I have an immune system, it’s dry and they probably won’t transfer to my hair, my face, my lips.... And it is for a good cause.
The Dressember Campaign
The cause?
The symbol:
The industry:
In addition, the fashion industry is strongly implicated in human exploitation. Many textile and fashion companies rely on cheap overseas labor, and exploit their workers’ desperation by subjecting them to dangerous working conditions and impossible situations of job insecurity.
I have long been passionate about the issue of modern-day slavery, especially as it relates to the fashion industry. For several years I lived with the knowledge that many of my “affordable” (read: cheap) fashion choices were contributing to exploitation and potentially even outright slavery. I started looking for alternatives, and discovered an exciting online community of people committed to ethical consumerism. I found that the best alternatives were also the cheapest: second-hand. Buying second-hand not only keeps garments out of landfills, but most thrift stores are not-for-profit and exist to support local and global charities. When it comes to items not available second-hand, or things I would be uncomfortable purchasing from a thrift shop (like underwear), it does get expensive. But I believe that if I don’t pay the cost for my fashion choices, someone else will have to, and the cost they pay just might be their freedom.
The choice:
So this year, for every day of December, I have been limiting myself to a choice between just two dresses, sacrificing a tiny bit of my freedom to restore real freedom to others. The goal is to raise money for IJM (International Justice Mission) and A21, both wonderful non-profit organizations that work with local justice systems and police to target slave traders and release slaves.
The dresses!
Neither is very warm, so I'll really be layering up!
Understanding and Owning
We need to advocate for slaves because they have no voice of their own. If you presently or ever have struggled with mental illness, you know what it is like to have no voice. Depression can sap all your energy, so everything is focused on survival and speaking out is an extra that you just can’t afford. There is always the possibility of rejection, of misunderstanding, of more pain on top of the pain that is already unbearable. When the energy is there, there is the nagging, often well-substantiated suspicion that no-one will listen to you anyway. Because of your diagnosis, they’ll dismiss what you have to say. Of course he has complaints--he’s depressed, and always negative. Or: She doesn’t know what she’s talking about--she’s paranoid!
Now that I’ve recovered somewhat, I am rediscovering my voice. I have energy back, and people are actually listening to me again (I'm not saying they should not have listened to me before. I am pointing out that human nature and social perceptions of mental illness make loss of voice a reality for many who suffer with mental illness). I am also discovering a passion for using the voice I have to speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves. That is why I write this blog. And for the same reason, I am wearing these two dresses throughout the month of December, and speaking up for those who don't have the freedom even to speak.
I'm getting close to my fundraising goal, but I do still have a way to go and only a few days to get there! As a fun little incentive and personal touch, I am offering a set of beautiful handmade greeting cards to the donor who contributes the largest amount this week. I will mail them to the winner in the new year! To help me reach my campaign goal, click here:
To find out more about the campaign, go to the official Dressember website here:
