How To Recognize The Signs Of Feminist Burnout

Written by Myrna Waldron.

Sufferers of Feminist Burnout are advised that laptops don’t taste very good. (Source: SoftwareSourcery.Com)
Feminist Burnout, or ohmyfuckinggodwhyisthissohardforpeopletounderstanditis, is a common ailment afflicting individuals also suffering from the insane notion that women are people. Approach with caution. Feminist Burnout is extremely contagious.

Signs and symptoms of Feminist Burnout include:

  • Explosive exasperation at Hugo Schwyzer
  • Twitter arguments that end after 3 tweet exchanges and a blocking because you just cannot put up with this shit anymore
  • Mass unfriending of Facebook friends sharing pictures trying to make you feel bad that people are apparently regularly aborting full-term fetuses
  • Severe frown lines caused by awareness of advertising tactics
  • Blog entries created by repeatedly slamming your head on your keyboard in frustration
  • Complete lack of surprise that Katy Perry and Taylor Swift do not consider themselves feminists because of course they fucking don’t
  • Nightmares over the possibility of confronting certain gamers on their sexism and their likely responses
  • Paranoia that “misandry” might actually be added to the dictionary someday
  • Eyestrain from trying to comprehend female anatomy depicted in video games and comic books
  • Nausea over racist topless protesters being allowed to define the movement in the media
  • Compulsive side-eye at pretty much everyone in Hollywood
  • Excessive fantasies of punching the crap out of anyone who spouts “BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MENZ?!”
  • Unrestrained masochism that includes, but is not limited to: Challenging powerful individuals in the media on their bullshit, reading the comments, clicking on links that contain “FOX” in the URL, going on reddit, opening a Tumblr account
If left untreated, Feminist Burnout can result in exhaustion, emotional overload, lack of inspiration, and even utter defeat. There is no cure for Feminist Burnout. But there are several therapeutic treatments recently discovered:   
  • Turn off the fucking computer and mobile phone.
  • Eat some ice cream.
  • Have a nap.
  • Hug someone who “gets it.”
  • Look at pictures of puppies and/or kittens. (if unable to pry self from internet)
  • Write a satirical blog entry.
Feminist Burnout is a serious issue affecting approximately 99% of feminists, who are amazed at the 1% who are able to press on without experiencing any symptoms. If someone you love is affected by Feminist Burnout, do not exacerbate the symptoms by asking them to explain concepts that should be obvious to anyone who has actually questioned the world around them. Privilege Blindness is considered a mental condition that has been known to worsen the symptoms of Feminist Burnout. Individuals who argue that feminism does not truly seek equality because it is primarily focused on women are advised to shut the fuck up. Women who deliberately choose not to define themselves as feminists as it might scare men away are pieces of shit. MRAs who pick fights with sufferers of Feminist Burnout to prove some sort of warped point are advised to stab themselves in the genitals repeatedly.

If you suffer from Feminist Burnout, You Are Not Alone! Sufferers are advised to remember that although there is no cure for Feminist Burnout, there will eventually be a cure for societal inequality.
 
Now go have a cup of tea.

———-

Myrna Waldron is a feminist writer/blogger with a particular emphasis on all things nerdy. She lives in Toronto and has studied English and Film at York University. Myrna has a particular interest in the animation medium, having written extensively on American, Canadian and Japanese animation. She also has a passion for Sci-Fi & Fantasy literature, pop culture literature such as cartoons/comics, and the gaming subculture. She maintains a personal collection of blog posts, rants, essays and musings at The Soapboxing Geek, and tweets with reckless pottymouthed abandon at @SoapboxingGeek.

22 thoughts on “How To Recognize The Signs Of Feminist Burnout”

  5. The word Misandry can be traced back to at least 1871, when it was used in The Spectator magazine. It appeared in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed.) in 1952.

  11. I love you. Another intervention? Read a magnificent feminist rant, then giggle uncontrollably at the inescapable image of a Foxnewsfratboy repeatedly stabbing himself in the genitals a la Linda Blair…you just dropped my systolic about thirty points! Muah!

  12. Try Googling “FEMEN racism.” They have a very nasty habit of acting like Western women are the only enlightened ones and Muslim women are completely oppressed.

  15. “ohmyfuckinggodwhyisthissohardforpeopletounderstanditis!” I’m going to have to remember that one. And, why can’t everyone see the world the way I do, the right way?

  17. Myrna, this link below is for you. Consider how your attitude alienates others and also negatively affects the credibility of feminism itself (not for myself, but, albeit sickeningly, for others). I think that, due to this frustration, some feminists (and they are not all alike, in the same way feminism is an extremely varied, multi-faceted movement) have adopted a destructive attitude rather than a constructive attitude. I challenge you to consider these things in more depth. Feel free to respond if you so wish (as if you need my permission), but know that no response is necessary. This doesn’t need to be an argument or a debate – rather, it should be a constructive discussion if at all possible.

    http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/the-first-myth-of-patriarchy-the-acorn-on-the-pillow/

  19. I sincerely hope you haven’t gotten the impression that I’m a man-hater, because it’s completely unfounded. This piece was meant to be satirical, sarcastic, hyperbolic, and cathartic. I shouldn’t have to point this out, but I don’t actually feel this way, although it is impossible for me not to feel frustration. Most of my work on this site has been about positive representation of women, so I can only conclude you haven’t read any of my work if you think that I am constantly negative (or, as you put it, destructive) about my feminism.

  22. Pingback: Someone Marry Barry: I Just Liked It, OK? | Bitch Flicks

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