COMPASSION FATIGUE IS A THING.

In that spirit, I have a few thoughts + resources with YOU today:

If you’ve been seeing images, hearing stories, and you have the capacity to turn your heartbreak into action, consider donating to an org like @together.rising or @lafdfoundation today.

Even simply sharing a list of vetted resources with your network can be helpful – to YOU, to the ones who need support, and to those also feeling a desire to OFFER support in a more tangible way.

That said – not everyone has the capacity to support right now. That’s okay.

If you’re feeling unusually affected or even immobilized by the fires (and / or any collective tragedy on your heart) – this post by Houston psychotherapist Elizabeth Haberer may be more in line with what you need right now.

It’s from 2017, written with Harvey + flooding in mind, but the heart of the message is evergreen:

“…If your home is intact, you may feel forced to say ‘great, I am lucky’ when asked how things are with you, because you are, in many respects, but please remember that we have survived a collective traumatic experience. Your body, nervous system, spirit, and heart are likely a kind of tired and overwhelmed that is bone deep- and that is to be expected. You are not alone. You are ok, and you are not ok. Both things are true. Its ok to take a break. It’s ok to seek help. We are in this together.”

Compassion fatigue is a thing, and in a world as connected as ours, its reach goes far beyond our local communities.

All that to say, wherever you are: Please take care of you.

If you need support, ask for + allow it. If you can give support, give it.

We need each other. Moments like this offer countless opportunities to prove it.

Thanks for playing your part.