Compassion Fatigue — The Silent Killer of Your Empathy

I’ve always been praised for how political I am. Of course that is not a bad thing, I take pride

in the fact that I use my platform to speak up on what needs to be discussed, and I

appreciate that my efforts are being recognised.

In this day and age, being political is a necessity. Politics consumes us. From the things we

care about, to who we let govern us, to the content we consume, and the list goes on. No

one can deny that, and the ability to ignore it in any capacity is a privilege.

But that’s not to say it is not exhausting, when being involved in politics is an obligation as

opposed to a choice.

We’ve all felt that exhaustion at one point or another. The creeping feeling of desensitisation

to the devastation around us. The urge to skip that depressing charity ad. The desire to

scroll past that tiktok of another family starving to death as they beg for your help. The wish

to just turn the TV off when yet another reminder of how horrific the world around us can be

is served to you on a platter.

Compassion fatigue has a funny way of sticking its claws into you, and I know the feeling all

too well.

I recognise that I have it better than many, there is no doubt about it. I have the ability to just

turn off my phone at any point, knowing I have access to food, water and a place to live.

That is not to say, however, that it isn’t hard, wanting to care about so many things, wanting

to be the perfect activist, and to always stand up for what is right, when the world is falling

apart with every passing day, all whilst still having to continue my life as normal.

I’ve come to realise that it's not realistic, to be constantly caring, over-extending my empathy

until I have no more left to give, screaming until I can no longer be heard

Yes, the world is burning, but setting yourself on fire will not make you any more equipped to

help those already engulfed by the flames.

That does not mean turning a blind eye to the fire, for if you do, your house will eventually be

set alight too.

It means taking a step out of the fire, so that you’re able to grab the water to put it out.

Or in simpler terms, giving your mental health the needed break, so that you don't become

burnt out — pun slightly intended.

Once you allow yourself to regain that compassion, you’ll be better equipped to deal with all

the issues surrounding us. We as humans were not designed to deal with the overload of destruction and suffering happening, and while the fight for justice may be long, it is certainly not linear.

Though this is something that I’m still learning, we have to realise that it’s okay to take a step

back, it’s okay to feel tired, and it’s okay to not always have the sympathy you wish you

could maintain. Most importantly it’s human.

So this is a reminder to prioritise your mental health and put the phone down when you need

to. You’re not a bad person for only taking what you can handle. You’ll be able to make a

bigger difference when you have the mental and emotional capacity to.

Written By, La’Keesha Stewart