Guidelines for burning times,

or finding breathing space when it's all too much

Friends,

With devastation of all kinds in so many places around the world, your social feeds and inbox, like mine, are probably overflowing with advice about how to help or where to give. And then there’s overwhelm and compassion fatigue and, and…

Despite all of that, I find myself needing to speak to the tumult we're all living through. To extend myself beyond financial contributions and worry. So, from my own neurodivergent (HSP, ADHD) perspective, I'm offering these thoughts. My brain keeps calling them “guidelines for burning times.”

1. Don't look away. That doesn't mean stay connected to news or social media 24/7. Not sustainable. It means let yourself be fully aware and awake to the events rolling across the world. Witnessing is the core of compassion.

2. Being emotionally uncomfortable won't kill you. It just feels that way sometimes. Like any state of being, it will pass. Honor your discomfort. You're being changed by what you are witnessing. That's one reason we keep dipping ourselves in the salty experience that is a human life.

Actual breathing space. (I’m forever nearly tipping over while shooting sky images.)

3. You can't fix it. Not the whole thing. Certainly not alone. That's OK. Be kind. Stop walking around wearing the suffering of eight billion people - or even eight - as if it's your sole responsibility. Breathe.

4. Make every action a thoughtful one. Help each choice perpetuate kindness. Marinate every word in compassionate truth. Especially what you share on social media.

5. You count. Whatever thoughtful action you are able to take will contribute to making a difference. The key word here is "able", not "comfort-able". Should you stay in your comfort zone? See #2. Should you throw yourself at every wall? See #3. How to find a balance? That's what #6 is for.

6. Keep living. Do your day-to-day. Love the people you love and do it out loud. With exuberant hugs. Lots of exuberant hugs. Find one moment of beauty or kindness or hope each day. Don't look away. Appreciate it. If you stop living your resilience will falter and so will your thoughtful actions and compassionate witnessing. Then where will we be?

Witnessing with you,
Tracie

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I’m Tracie Nichols—poet, facilitator, HSP, over-thinker, introvert, occasional outsider, and woman of deepening years. I create word adventures for shy but curious people who have stories to tell and may not know where to start. More at tracienichols.com.

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Word Adventures happening this fall:

Seeding change: Creating When Life is Hard

(for the Transformative Language Arts Network)

November 2, 2024 from 3-5 PM ET | 8-10 PM UTC as a one-time, two-hour Zoom session.

Exploring the deep quiet of the winter solstice

December 21, 2024 from 4-5:30 PM EST | 9-10:30 PM UTC | as a one-time, 90-minute Zoom session.