Topic Tuesday // Burnout // 24 Jan. 7pm AEDT

[Former-Member]

Thank you @Former-Member for the discussion, feedback and support

[Former-Member]

Hi @utopia and @Former-Member, yes this is a good place to talk about it.  There are a number of aspects to this issue but one I think would be useful to talk about is the need to strongly root yourself within the limits of what you can do.  I have to do this professionally all the time.  Do my very best for someone but accept that I actually have no control over the outcome.  And that sometimes means life or death.  

Our influence only goes so far.  People retain the right to make their own choices.  Even people we have come to care for and have forged a strong connection with.  We are just one part of the puzzle.  And sometimes quite a small piece.

Do you feel that you are connected with the limits of what a forum enables you to do?  (I'm sure there's a better way to ask that question - long day 🙂 

[Kurra]

Hi @utopia
I've done a lot of work in thid firld for many years. Yes I have suffered burnout and as with @Former-Member I had to take a different job for a few months to give myself some space.

I have learnt over the years to do all that I possibly can and then accept that my role at that moment in time I can do no more. This allows me to step away from the situation emotionally. I frequently don't know the final outcome but I remind myself that I did everything I was able to do.

You did everything you were able to as did many others. Acknowledge your effort. It may have had a far greater impact than you can ever know.

Take care. Luv n Hugzzz 💕 🎶

[Shaz51]

Hello @Former-Member, @Former-Member, @BlueBay, @Former-Member, @Former-Member

 we do what we can my friends , and when they come back we open our arms to them again xx

there are others to help out along the way xx

[Tory]

I think that it is important for you to find out who you are through all of this. @GlassHalfFull Get in touch with what you used to do before caring. Find hobbies old or new to bring out your creative side. Maybe some time alone to do this and some together time learning something new together. Just some thoughts I hope might help.

[Shaz51]

totally right @Kurra xx

[Former-Member]

Sorry for the long day @Former-Member but I don't understand your question 😳 I guess I feel guilty because I think there was more I could have done earlier but I have become so fatigued trying to be there for everyone. I haven't trusted my responses for a while but this situation didn't happen over a few days. It started weeks ago and I kind of knew she needed more support but I didn't offer it at the time  😔😢

[Former-Member]

@Former-Member @Former-Member @utopia @Shaz51

the limits of the forum are easy to see and rationalise... but there is this massive sense of helplessness that i feel this time... but also struggling with a lot of similar things

[Shaz51]

@Former-Member, don`t be hard on yourself

you done the best you could , we all did

don`t think i should of done this or i should of done that my friend

when she returns , we will welcome her xx

[utopia]

@Former-Member - my problem isn't so much - did she choose that path - or that I couldn't prevent it.
It's that I read it and couldn't get her help. Therrestrictions of not knowing the name or address or ph nbr of the person who may be asking for help. I thought SANE had all the personal details - incase of this type of situation.
And we have friendships here. Some of us are family. That's the way it feels. And if someonehere dies - for whatever reason - we may never know. And that makes me feel like I just don't exist. That these 'relationships' we are forming - are ppointless.
And what if it was me and not Zoe that left that post.
I could be dead - because no one tried to find me.