Advocacy Isn’t a Competition: The Power of Quality Over Quantity

In the world of chronic illness advocacy, it’s easy to feel the pressure to keep up with others who seem to post constantly, have large followings, or always appear to be "on." But here’s the truth: the size of your audience and the number of posts you make don’t matter nearly as much as the quality of your content. How often you post advocacy content is entirely up to you, the time you have to commit to creating it, and your mental capacity to reply to comments. Advocacy is not a competition; it’s a personal mission. Whether you post daily, once a week, or monthly, we are all in this together.

I’ve noticed something interesting in my own journey as an advocate. Even though I use a scheduler to keep my blog content posted at relevant times of the year, my followers will notice lapses of days and sometimes even weeks where I don’t post anything personal. This isn’t because I’ve lost interest or because I don’t care. It’s because of a variety of reasons that anyone with a chronic illness will understand: emotional fatigue, not having the mental capacity to comprehend comments and reply to them, severe physical fatigue that results in days of slumber or just surviving, or simply trying to live my life and lacking the focus to do anything else.

Does that make me a bad advocate? Heck no! It makes me real.

I am not a business, despite earning money from my advocacy efforts. I am a person with multiple chronic and painful conditions—conditions that nobody should ever have to experience—just doing the best I can. And that’s all any of us can do.

The importance of quality over quantity

It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers game—how many followers you have, how many likes or shares your posts get, how often you’re posting. But focusing on these metrics can lead to burnout, especially for those of us already managing a chronic illness. Instead, I’ve found that it’s much more fulfilling and sustainable to focus on the quality of my content rather than the quantity.

When I take the time to create thoughtful, meaningful content, I find that it resonates more deeply with my audience. They don’t care if I’m posting every day or every week; they care that I’m sharing something real, something that speaks to their own experiences. And when I’m able to engage with my community in a meaningful way, even if it’s not as often as I’d like, I feel like I’m making a difference.

Setting your own pace

The beauty of advocacy is that it’s a deeply personal journey. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. You have to set your own pace and find what works for you. Maybe you have the energy to post every day, or maybe you only have the bandwidth to post once a month. Both approaches are valid, and both have their place in the advocacy landscape.

Remember, your health comes first. It’s okay to take breaks, to step back when you need to, and to prioritize your well-being. Your audience will understand, and those who are genuinely invested in your journey will be there when you’re ready to return.

Advocacy is about connection, not competition

At the end of the day, advocacy is about connection. It’s about sharing your story, raising awareness, and supporting others who are going through similar experiences. It’s not about who has the most followers or who posts the most frequently. It’s about making a difference, however big or small.

So, if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or like you’re not doing enough, take a step back and remind yourself why you started advocating in the first place. Focus on the impact you’re making, not the numbers. And remember, we are all in this together, whether you post daily, once a week, or once a month.

Final thoughts

Being an advocate doesn’t mean being perfect. It means being real, being honest, and being yourself. Don’t let the pressure to keep up with others keep you from advocating in a way that feels right for you. Take the time you need to care for yourself, post when you’re able, and know that every piece of content you share is valuable.

Advocacy isn’t a competition. It’s a personal mission. And as long as you’re staying true to yourself, you’re doing it right.