Is Compassion Fatigue a thing?

Is compassion fatigue a thing? 

You may have heard me talk about this before, as its an area I am so passionate about.

This is in part because some great therapists and coaches end up leaving the profession due to burnout. The same applies for when we support loved ones or colleagues in any area, we can sometimes feel like supporting others in any capacity can be so draining when it doesn’t need to be. 

It was a simple misunderstanding of what being a support and listening to others actually meant.

I burnt out because I was so in my head, intellect or ego analysing the support I was giving as well as trying to jump too far ahead and predict the future and that was causing me stress and tension consistently. 

We don’t run out of love and compassion, we literally have limitless amounts to give!

So how do we feel fatigued when showing love and compassion?

If you really consider how you are showing love and compassion, as yourself: are you really connecting from a place of love and wellbeing?

If you are in assessment, analysis mode or on a mission to fix someone or something you are not leading with love and compassion.

You may feel that love and compassion is the driver, but the overwhelm and stress comes from the thought process around how we are alongside those we are supporting. 

There is a reason on a flight that they ask you to put your oxygen mask on before others! Our wellbeing is equally as important as anyone else’s, even your own flesh and blood.

If supporting others is getting to you, and you feel exhausted, please reflect on the thought-created reality you have around it all.

If you are suffering, this isn’t at the hands of the love and compassion you are giving, it's the added layers of thought and the stories you create around the support you are giving. 

If you are already someone who works in the field of wellbeing, but wants to be able to share without getting burnt out, or maybe you work in education, or are a manager who works with others in a supportive role, then we have a 6 month programme coming up that only runs once a year maximum sometimes less and this time we have the wonderful Aaron Turner joining to deliver the programme alongside me! You can check it out here!