Topic Tuesday // Staying safe while supporting others // April 18, 7pm AEST

[Nevyn134]

@Heathcliff Very much the same here.

[CheerBear]

@Heathcliff - while I agree that there are definitely some forms of self-care that are more available at certain times and for certain people, self-care can be things like attending to diet, stopping to look at a flower for a moment, taking a shower, positive self-talk etc. What you're dealing with sounds hard. Hopefully you can get some ideas tonight that might help

[NikNik]

So, tonight we will get to a point where we will together identify some boundaries for ourselves and create a self-care plan, based on our own current situations. It will be up to you whether you share yours with the community, or just keep track of your own 

Before we get to that, I thought I would share with you the difference between burn out and compassion fatigue.

Has anyone experienced either? How did you get through it?

While you guys share, I will post quite a few text heavy posts with information in them. Take your time. We will spend 20 mins on this.

[Phoenix_Rising]

@Heathcliff Your situation sounds super difficult. I'm afraid I don't have any suggestions for you as I'm a recluse and I'm a bit clueless when it comes to face-to-face human interaction and relationships, but from what I have read, there are strategies out there for coping with the sort of situation you describe. Hopefully some clever person here (stares at @NikNik) will come up with some ideas for you.

[Smc]

Physical care counts for something. Trying to keep a reasonably healthy diet, and to get some exercise. I know getting outdoors helps me a lot, so I try to do some gardening to provide both the exercise and outdoors time.

[Shaz51]

@Heathcliff, @NikNik

I am in the same situation @Heathcliff

I had to rethink the word "self Care" , my self care is having a cuppa on the front steps or in the yard

having a soak in epsom salts , and my other one is spending time onf the Sane Forum , or reading a magazine

[kristin]

Hi all, 
Long time no see 🙂
I find the hardest thing for me in engaging with people who are struggling, especially online (say on FB, and I am part of a couple of MH groups there), is my concern that I may be the only person who hears them. That feels like a heavy load. So I usually try to gently find out whether they have someone or somewhere else either online or not that they can also turn to for support. I also tend to madly look up services which are in their area if I know whereabouts they are (in Aus), and see whether they might offer some help. This then enables me to offer support without feeling like I am it. ❤️

Self-care things which help prevent me getting too low are:
time out - away from social media, the forums (been 2 years), - and having quiet time to myself. Thankfully I like my own company (that's taken a long while ).
Talking with another peer so I can share the load
reconnecting with nature
doing some art
talking with my psych about it
equine therapy when I can afford it
or even a massage
as when I feel overloaded my whole body starts to ache.
making sure I am keeping to my routine and eating well

trying to get enough sleep

That's probably most of them atm 

[Nevyn134]

@NikNik I am in a near constant state of compassion fatuige and have to keep digging more and more deeply into myself to find the energy to give and care... I suppose that is a form of burnout. I honestly am not sure I can tell the difference any more?

[Former-Member]

yes i think i have experienced both burn out and compassion fatigue more in my job though

[Zoe7]

I have definitely experienced compassion fatigue - when the same situation is presented multiple times and is a continuous 'issue'. My ability to stay 'present' in some such situations becomes significantly lessened and I find I need to step away for my own self-care.