Practising Celebration as a Form of Resistance

The distinct power of celebration as a form of resistance is often overlooked. I certainly did not fully appreciate celebration until I experienced firsthand the impact that neglecting it in activist work had on my mental and physical health. And then the powerful transformations when I intentionally began to make celebration a part of my daily life. For me, the first step to finding or creating new celebration practices was to celebrate myself more. I started with a very simple practice: every day, I would look for simple things to celebrate—like cooking a nutritious meal—and began by physically patting myself on my shoulder and smiling. As this became more comfortable and integrated, I found other practices, some more simple, and others that may initially require some support to establish, such as an embodied practice of celebration. Many of these are actually simple and free—and can transform our individual and collective lives and struggles.

A Source of Energy

Activism is often a long and arduous journey, marked by challenges and setbacks. It requires a continuous source of energy to sustain the momentum necessary for meaningful change. Celebration, in this context, acts as a powerful source of rejuvenation. When we celebrate, we acknowledge our achievements, however small they may be. This acknowledgment is not just a pat on the back but a vital source of motivation that propels us forward.

Creating spaces and rituals to intentionally celebrate victories can be transformative. The ritual itself can be quite simple. One option is to meet other activists once a month to share our experiences and celebrate positive developments—which can also be combined with, for example, drawing, music, some movement, such as dance or walking in nature. I started this practice a few years ago and enjoy having a space where I feel nourished and more energised.

Emotional Well-being

The relentless nature of activism can lead to burnout, where emotional and physical exhaustion diminish our well-being and effectiveness. The latter being understood as the capacity to do the political work we want to do (including our ability to tap into creativity) in the way that we want to (i.e. according to our values). When feeling tired and upset, we are unlikely to deal with problems and people in the same way we would if we were well-rested and centred. I've been to important meetings feeling sick/tired/drained—while I might have had some impact, it is highly likely that I would have dealt with some situations very differently and had different opportunities in such meetings if I'd been well-rested.

By intentionally integrating celebration into our routines, we create a buffer against the toll of continuous activism.

The Nonviolent Communication (NVC)¹ process of mourning and celebration is particularly relevant here. This process involves acknowledging and mourning unmet needs or losses, followed by celebrating met needs and achievements. It provides a structured way to process emotions, fostering emotional resilience. By honouring both the struggles and the triumphs, we maintain a balanced perspective that supports long-term sustainability in our activist work.

A Source of Hope

In the face of systemic oppression, it can be tempting to succumb to despair, believing there is nothing worth celebrating. In my work in a racial justice organisation, this was sometimes how I felt as we documented one racist incident after another and faced one obstacle after another whilst supporting the people affected.

It is important to recognize that progress can be slow in long-term activism, and it is easy to overlook the incremental steps that lead to significant change. Creating small wins along the way and celebrating these milestones is essential. It reinforces the idea that every step forward, no matter how small, is valuable and worth celebrating. Remembering this practice and integrating it into my current activist work in a Palestinian initiative has been crucial to maintaining hope.

Community and Belonging

In activist movements, we often have to work with limited funding, a lack of resources and time, and the stresses of our personal experiences as members of marginalized communities, among other things. Under these pressures, conflicts are, unsurprisingly, fairly common. While celebration will not resolve a conflict, it can bring people together and foster a sense of community and belonging, which can help to build a stronger basis for future conflict resolution. When we celebrate together, we strengthen our bonds and create a supportive network that can withstand the pressures of activism.

One effective practice is to begin meetings by sharing something that brought joy in the past week. This simple act can shift the energy of the group, fostering a positive atmosphere and reminding everyone of the shared human experiences that connect us. By sharing joyful experiences, we can also discover more about each other, especially when unexpected answers are shared.

Integrating Joyful Practices into Political Work

In both my past and current activist work, one common thread has been sitting in long meetings after normal working times, mainly due to the fact that we work pro bono and have different external commitments. Incorporating music, dance, and other forms of artistic expression into such meetings can transform the experience from one of constant struggle to one that also embraces pleasure and fulfilment. For many of us, this can definitely be a welcome break from sitting in long meetings. 

Starting a session or after a break with uplifting music or incorporating dance into meetings can shift the energy, making activism a more joyous and sustainable endeavour. Depending on the type of music and dance, it can also help us to connect to and celebrate our roots. I have found it to be a fun, uplifting and bonding experience and enjoyed introducing people to Bhangra music and dance.

Practising Quiet and Individual Joy

Celebration in resistance does not always need to be loud and disruptive. Quiet, individual acts of joy can have a profound impact on an energetic level. Personal practices, such as taking a few moments each day to savour a cup of tea, meditate, take a walk in nature or engage in a creative hobby, nurture our inner joy and resilience.

Sharing practices learned from our communities with others is another way to spread joy and resilience. For instance, if you have found solace in a particular form of meditation or a ritual that brings you peace, sharing this with others can create a ripple effect, spreading well-being throughout the community—a motivation for writing this article.

Reclaiming Our Wholeness

In oppressive systems, marginalized communities are often dehumanised and reduced to stereotypes. Celebration, in its essence, is a reclamation of our humanity and wholeness. It is a declaration that we are more than the struggles we endure; we are beings capable of joy, love, and fulfilment.

Taking time every day to write down 2-3 things we are celebrating is a powerful personal practice. This habit shifts our focus from what is lacking or painful to what is abundant and joyous in our lives, fostering a sense of gratitude and joy. It allows us to connect with a full range of emotions and embrace our wholeness. This act of self-celebration is a subtle yet profound resistance against dehumanising narratives, affirming our right to joy and fulfilment.

Practising Celebration

Celebration, in its many forms, is a powerful tool for resistance. It fuels activism, unites people, reclaims our humanity, maintains our emotional well-being, and keeps hope alive. Whether loud or quiet, communal or individual, acts of joy disrupt oppressive narratives and affirm our right to thrive. By integrating celebration as a practice into our daily lives and collective movements, we draw ourselves into the futures we envision—futures where joy, delight, and pleasure are not just moments of reprieve but fundamental aspects of our existence. Let us embrace celebration as a radical act of resistance, reclaiming our wholeness and paving the way for a more just and joyous world. Let us create spaces and rituals that foster joy.