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Social Conservationists

It's so interesting how perceptions are altered from person to person, especially crossing the internet. Lately I've been struggling a bit to come to grips with what I'm actually going to do this year. I damaged the ligaments in my ankle and lost mobility and was stuck on the couch feeling frustrated. None of you knew this though and all of you are so supportive and are congratulating me on the success of this community. I'm so glad that this is such a supportive community and such an empowering place on the internet so even if I face the perils of being a Lonely Conservationist, you are all there to pick me up too. You guys are the best. Thankyou🌱💪💚 photo by @chaostheoryxd 📷 "What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another"-Chris Maser. So as conservationists, as we regrow the forests and rejuvenate the earth, let's help eachother grow and feel rejuvenated too. The only way we can overcome the feelings of grief and loss for our planet is to come together and put our energy into lifting eachother up and inspiring those around us that is okay to keep going and create positive change for our world 💚💪🌱 Photo by @ongwe_acinonyx 📷 "Life has many ways of testing a person's will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen at once."- Paulo Coelho 💚💪🌱 Photo by @bushgalconservation 📷 Just conservationists things: in 2016 I got snared in the rainforest during fieldwork and snapped my tendon in my ankle. I still managed to walk out of the forest for an extra 1km and wait an hour for my staff to run to the nearest village and get me some ice. Today when I lie in my Melbourne home with a swollen ankle, unable to move, I think back to the squat toilets, the mass of people saying I should get a massage instead of medical advice and the lack of available care and I feel so priveleged and grateful. My history in conservation really made me gain perspective in all aspects of my life and for that, I am grateful for all the trials and tribulations I've faced💚🌱💪 Photo by @ginger.safari 📷 I'm posting this photo of @sofiya.shukhova today as it encompasses another side of conservation where sometimes you just need to end the day with a glass of wine. Also you should always make space to have a good meal, a nice drink and ensure that your life has enough good things in it! It's so easy to get bulked down in the state of the world at the moment, but it's important that you, yourself have a quality of life you deserve 💚🌱💪 I love being out in nature at night and going on an eye shine hunt! My favourite thing to spot is all the wolf spiders as they are so camouflaged except for their eyes giving them away! 💪💚🌱 Photo by @stephjrobertson 📷 Are you feeling lonely in conservation? If you are there are so many resources on our website (in bio) available- from stories you can relate to, a community to chat to and a page of global mental health resources. I hope that through this community we can make conservation a little less lonely of an industry 🌱💪💚 photo by @ginga_ninja30 📷 Even though I have a lot of work to do I'm making sure I don't work through the weekend. This year I'm creating a good work/life balance for myself so I don't get burnt out. What are your tips for staying sane in 2020? 💚💪🌱 Photo by @prairie_godmother 📷 Fun fact: I spent six months researching elephants and I never once saw them in my study site. I would just see their poop and baby elephant poop and just get so excited that they let me know they were around. I used to call them my forest fairies because they were so magical and elusive. I even got an opportunity to visit an elephant research centre in Sri Lanka because a woman at my table at a conference overhead how excited I was about elephants, having never even seen one during my research. Don't be ashamed of what gets you excited, because when people see that passion- they will want some of it for themselves 💚💪🌱 photo by @adam_talkswild 📷 @conservationistkrissy just launched the @mind.mystory #mindmystory campaign to shed light on mental health awareness. Here is the story of a time I felt broken but never sought help- I hope you can all learn from my mistakes and help your brain as easily as you'd put on a bandaid or a cast for other broken body parts. *** This was supposed to be a happy day, graduating my honours degree in ecology and conservation but in actual fact my honours reminded me of nothing but trauma. Surrounded by a patriarchal Indonesian culture and a fear for my own safety, I spent every evening that I wasn't in the forest confined to one room of my house, feeling too unsafe to venture out alone. My supervisor, who said I couldn't get anywhere without using his name, sent me horrific emails from home which left me in tears and to this day leaves me nervous to open any email from anyone in any position of power. I rebelled and used my own name despite his claims- I spoke at conservation festivals and conferences about my research, I spoke to journalists and won awards. Instead of praise, I was denied a moderation meeting at the end of my degree. When I got home and felt the anxiety persist and uneasy in my skin, I should have sought help- but I didn't. I wish I could go back and reassure myself that it's okay to get mental health help and break the stigma. So to all of you who have been impacted by people and places that pushed you down instead of empowering you, don't feel as though you have to suffer in silence. You are worthy of a healthier mind 💪💚

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All stories are written and submitted by the Lonely Conservationists from all over the world. Views represented in these stories do not necessarily reflect the Lonely Conservationist team as a whole, however all struggles are valued and represented on this platform without judgement.

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