Self-Care for Queer and Trans Folks in Turbulent Times

Trans and queer communities are resilient. For generations, we’ve built joy, art, and connection in the face of adversity. But constant exposure to anti-trans rhetoric and anti-LGBTQIA+ policy attacks creates chronic stress that takes a real toll on our bodies, minds, and spirits. 

That’s why self-care matters. And not the glossy, commercialized version of self-care that’s all bubble baths and expensive routines; but real, sustaining practices that help us survive, recharge, and keep showing up for ourselves and each other. 

Self-Care in the Little Things

Because so many of us have been told we’re “too much” or that our needs don’t matter, even the tiniest acts of self-care can feel radical. Drinking water after a good cry, putting on a song that makes you feel seen, or resting without guilt—these are not “just little things.” They are affirmations that we matter. 

Self-care can be personal (rest, hobbies, creative expression, reflection) and communal (mutual aid, shared meals, connection). Both forms are powerful, and both count. 

Remember: caring for yourself is a radical act of survival in a world that often tries to tell us not to. 

Media Mindfulness 

Staying informed helps us protect ourselves and our communities, but constant exposure to negative news can be overwhelming. Self-care means finding balance, engaging with the world without sacrificing mental and emotional health. 

Tips for mindful media use: 

• Limit doomscrolling by setting time boundaries. 

• Curate your feeds: follow affirming voices, unfollow or block accounts that drain you. 

• Choose intentional “check-in” times for updates instead of consuming news constantly. 

• Practice grounding: pause, breathe, and notice your body when you feel overwhelmed. 

Self-Care in Community 

One of the most healing reminders is that we don’t have to do it all alone. Care can be communal: a friend texting “Have you eaten today?”, a meme that makes you laugh, or simply sitting with someone who gets it. 

Caring for each other is part of caring for ourselves. Mutual aid, shared joy, and leaning on friends or chosen family aren’t just nice extras. They’re lifelines. 

Tips for community care: 

• Surround yourself with safe and affirming people (queer peers + allies). 

• Explore online spaces and mutual aid groups for support. 

• Share joy: swap memes, celebrate small wins, uplift each other. 

Try This Today 

Pick one small act of self-care you can do in the next hour. Some ideas: 

• Drink a glass of water. 

• Send a supportive text to a friend. 

• Step outside and notice something you love. 

• Put on music that feels affirming. 

• Rest without guilt, even if only for a few minutes. 

  
  

Self-care isn’t about ignoring the world, it’s about creating the capacity to keep showing up, advocating, and living fully. Think of it as recharging your battery: when we rest and care for ourselves, we can better sustain both personal wellbeing and collective resistance. 

A Self-Care Check-In 

• What self-care practices have you found most grounding or nourishing? Are there ones that feel uniquely affirming as a queer or trans person? 

• Beyond rest and coping, how can we see self-care as an act of empowerment or resistance in the face of harmful policies and narratives? 

• What unexpected or creative forms of self-care (big or small) have brought you joy or resilience, and how might sharing them strengthen our community? 

 Self-care doesn’t have to be perfect, pretty, or planned. It can be messy, small, and shared,

and that’s enough. However you practice it, know that you are not alone. 

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