Low Energy Advocacy Hub: The Shortest Versions of Everything

No energy, and something still needs doing? Pick one thing below. Do only that. The rest can wait.

Advocacy advice often assumes you have a clear head, a free afternoon and a working memory. Some days you have none of them. This page gathers the shortest versions, so you can still do something small and useful.

Doing one small thing is not failing. It is how a lot of real advocacy gets done.

Under two minutes

Write the date and the name. On your phone, in a note. “Called Sam today about the review.” Future you will be grateful.

Say the one thing. If you only get to say a single sentence, make it this: “I would like this in writing, please.”

Ask who owns it. “Who is responsible for this?” Five words. It can break a referral loop.

Take a voice memo. Say what happened out loud. You do not need to tidy it.

Under ten minutes

Send the two line email.

On [date] I asked for [thing], reference [number]. I have not heard back. Could you tell me the status and when I will have an outcome?

Ask for the reasons.

Could you please send me the reasons for this decision in writing, and how I can ask for a review?

Write three points for a meeting. One line each. Then one question you must have answered.

Add a line to your promise log. See How to Track What Someone Promised.

When memory is the problem

Brain fog and pain can make it hard to hold details. These help:

• Write things down at the time, not later.
• Keep everything in one place, always the same.
• Ask people to put it in writing.
• Bring a support person to take notes.
• Ask them to repeat or slow down. This is a reasonable thing to ask.

See What to Record After an Important Phone Call.

Asking for an adjustment

You can ask for things to be made easier. A longer deadline. An email instead of a call. A shorter form. A break in the meeting. A support person alongside you.

Because of [pain, fatigue, memory problems], I find it hard to [phone calls, long meetings, forms]. Could you [email me, give me a longer deadline, allow a support person]?

You do not need to explain every detail. You only need to say what would help.

Let someone else carry part of it

A friend, family member or advocate can write the first draft, sit in the meeting or make the phone call, with your permission. The Supporter Guide explains how to do this without losing your voice.

More on this

• Self Advocacy When You Have No Energy Left
• Free Template Library
• Self Advocacy Is Not Doing Everything Yourself

If even this feels like too much

Rest. If there is a deadline, tell them you need an extension. Most places will give one if you ask early and in writing.

What to remember

On a low energy day, the goal is not to do it all. It is to do one small thing so the next day is a little easier.

LighteningUp Navigator, coming soon, has three energy modes: Quick, Guided and Review, so you can choose how much to do on the day.

Madeleine x