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

[NikNik]

@utopia
I think you can definitely feel exhaustion from your own self-care. But what I want to talk about in a moment in relation to self-care plans is that your plans don't have to contain a whole lot of new things you have to 'try' to do, it can also contain things you do already.

[Phoenix_Rising]

@Spookytookims yep, you have described the situation well. All the people who have disappeared out of my life WANTED to help. They are not in any way bad people. I guess the reason I shared this is because I can see how well it fits with what @NikNik said about how it is not helpful for the person being supported, for the supporter to dive in without self awareness about boundaries, self-care etc.

[NikNik]

Oh what a great analogy @soul
Make sure you put your own breathing mask on first
So true!

[Former-Member]

Phoenix_Rising, I empathize with that feeling you have, letting people close then they walk away, so we trust less and less, hugz on that, keep trying.

[Zoe7]

For me @Former-Member it is when I do not have the ability to think clearly and both daily activities and trauma related thoughts integrate and I am unable to function in any situation.

[Odette]

Same here @Mazarita.  I have definitely had compassion fatigue too after reading @NikNik's description.

[NikNik]

@Former-Member - burn out is definitely linked to a whole aspect of different areas of our life. Not just supporting other people.

A whole lot of other stressors can be part of burn out.

[soul]

Sometimes it's important to know your limitations when it comes to caring. A situation can be such that it is dangerous for you to be involved and you have to remove yourself for everyone's sakes. 

[Smc]

@NikNik, going by that i'm probably in burnout mode. Somewhere between 2 and 3. I seem to be death wish resistant, but sometimes it feels like being able to wake up when it's all settled down would be welcome. A bit like that feeling that happens partway through labour, when you want to stop it all for a bit and come back to finish the job after a good night's rest. And just as impossible. 

[Shaz51]

Same here @Mazarita, @Odette.  I have definitely had compassion fatigue too after reading @NikNik's description.