Empathy Management - Free PDF

In my early days of posting on social media, I shared a short video that got larger than normal views. It was about the challenge of managing our empathy as sensitive souls. Did you know that empathy is a resource that we can learn to use in discerning, successful, and even happy ways? Our awareness of the needs of others does not have to overwhelm us.

It took me a while to get this for myself. I used to feel so triggered by certain kinds of needs in others that I felt like I was going under. I over-identified with the suffering person. I obsessed with their pain as if I was the only one who cared enough or had answers for them. As I learned to become free of co-dependency and have healthier boundaries, I compiled a list of tools to help me navigate triggering situations. In addition to writing the workbook called, "You can Care Without Codependency" (rebekkajensen.com, Resources, Etsy shop), I also put together a one page "cheat sheet" to quickly get me back on track with my empathy.

Here's the link for the PDF:

In us format:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/159N-Ukv-q2xMSYk3SnQ64UHT1qf6G45f/view?usp=sharingcond

In A4 format.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V2bmbKUmr4Jj_aHLC3mHs7Q6J3-47pfp/view?usp=sharing

I'm living proof that being sensitive, especially to certain kinds of suffering in others, can be experienced and responded to with clarity and balance. Yes, I still feel the big feelings. And, I now have new, more empowered ways of understanding my role with others in suffering situations.

What is your experience of managing your empathy? What has helped you to do this in healthier ways?