This is beautifully written and so heartfelt. Sensitive souls have a valuable and significant role this world. We feel everything deeply, which also inspires us into action and care. For this reason, I've chosen to minimize my news intake and actually am avoiding most of it. I am highly aware what is happening and will continue to advocate for change like I always have. It's important for us sensitive souls to care for our own hearts to - so we can keep on giving.
I appreciate your point, Angela, that we sensitive ones are by definition "highly aware what is happening," so we don't need to be glued to the news. We sense it, we anticipate what's happening next, we feel it, even without knowing the latest details. We therefore can be committed to taking action, without subjecting ourselves to the strain on our nervous systems of watching every story break. Thank you for sharing!
Yes! Exactly my philosophy with all of this. We sensitive already “know.” Even without checking the news, somedays I can just feel the collective angst and chaos. Not consuming the news is a way to keep my power to keep advocating, fighting and being the light where I can. I’m so grateful for all the Sensitive Helpers out there that work in their special ways. If there ever was a time for us, it is now.
Lori, Thank you for your care and understanding. My capacity to feel others pain can be so intense sometimes. You spoke to our need to step back and care for ourselves from time to time so beautifully.
Sandra, thank you for sharing your experience. That capacity is magical, but we have to also protect our sensitive selves. Stepping back can be a way to do that. 💚✨
"...we will have to individually recognize and tend to our own limitations. And we must learn to support one another in making choices to prioritize our individual needs." Caring for others and self-care exist very close together. A sacred dance where both sides need to be tended to. Thank you Lori, a well needed post.
Thank you, Julie! I love the image of the sacred dance of caring for others and oneself. I'm not always a great dancer, but I think it's worth making the effort. So grateful for your presence!
Victoria, I'm so glad this reached you when it was needed! It can be so hard let our grief and pain move through and out of us, particularly when the supply of new suffering can seem endless. Please take what you need for yourself, too. So many people are touched by your gifts! 💚
Lori, I see the care and clarity in your words. Holding space for others while honoring limits is not just necessary—it’s the only way to sustain the work. Sensitivity isn’t a weakness, and stepping back isn’t failure. It’s part of the rhythm that keeps change moving forward.
I appreciate how you frame helping as a shared effort, not an individual burden. Nobody carries this alone, and no one should have to. Creating spaces where Sensitive Helpers can both give and receive support is vital. Count me in.
I'm excited to count you in, Jay! I love that you refer to the rhythm of giving and receiving, stepping forward and holding back. It's a wonderful metaphor for how we can be fluid and still make progress over time. Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
Hi, I have reached out to sooo many people looking for support for myself. I have always been the one giving it. Now, I need it. No one is there. I started writing, joined Substack, looking, hoping. I've posted some of my writing, I've been commenting on other people's works or post's, supporting, asking for support too. I don't know.
Ah, I feel this! It can take so much time to find and nurture the kinds of relationships that feel reciprocal and supportive. I don't have a magic shortcut, but I do encourage you not to lose hope and to keep reaching out. I'm glad that you're here!
With you. Sometimes we need faith in the sense that we need to “just keep going.” And part of that is summoning the wherewithal to stop and rest for a while: Frodo and Samwise both “giving up” individually while ascending Mt. Doom comes to mind… yet both eventually found ways to proceed by the support of each other.
Go to the Limits of Your Longing (Rilke, Book of Hours, I 59)
Eric, thanks for sharing! It's not often that Lord of the Rings and Rilke get referenced in the same context, but I love it. I appreciate you pointing out that there interconnectedness and leaning on faith of some sort can help us endure complex challenges.
This is beautifully written and so heartfelt. Sensitive souls have a valuable and significant role this world. We feel everything deeply, which also inspires us into action and care. For this reason, I've chosen to minimize my news intake and actually am avoiding most of it. I am highly aware what is happening and will continue to advocate for change like I always have. It's important for us sensitive souls to care for our own hearts to - so we can keep on giving.
I appreciate your point, Angela, that we sensitive ones are by definition "highly aware what is happening," so we don't need to be glued to the news. We sense it, we anticipate what's happening next, we feel it, even without knowing the latest details. We therefore can be committed to taking action, without subjecting ourselves to the strain on our nervous systems of watching every story break. Thank you for sharing!
Yes! Exactly my philosophy with all of this. We sensitive already “know.” Even without checking the news, somedays I can just feel the collective angst and chaos. Not consuming the news is a way to keep my power to keep advocating, fighting and being the light where I can. I’m so grateful for all the Sensitive Helpers out there that work in their special ways. If there ever was a time for us, it is now.
I love all of this, Angela!!! Thank you so much for all you to do raise up sensitive people!
This deeply resonates with me. Thank you!! 🙏❤️
I’m glad to hear that, Rachel! Thank you for all you do! 💚✨
Lori, Thank you for your care and understanding. My capacity to feel others pain can be so intense sometimes. You spoke to our need to step back and care for ourselves from time to time so beautifully.
Sandra, thank you for sharing your experience. That capacity is magical, but we have to also protect our sensitive selves. Stepping back can be a way to do that. 💚✨
Great advice! And that’s a good idea!
Thanks, Marina! I'm grateful to have you here. 💚
"...we will have to individually recognize and tend to our own limitations. And we must learn to support one another in making choices to prioritize our individual needs." Caring for others and self-care exist very close together. A sacred dance where both sides need to be tended to. Thank you Lori, a well needed post.
Thank you, Julie! I love the image of the sacred dance of caring for others and oneself. I'm not always a great dancer, but I think it's worth making the effort. So grateful for your presence!
Thank you for the beautiful reminder. I needed to hear this today as I feel the grief and pain of the collective and let it move through and out.
Victoria, I'm so glad this reached you when it was needed! It can be so hard let our grief and pain move through and out of us, particularly when the supply of new suffering can seem endless. Please take what you need for yourself, too. So many people are touched by your gifts! 💚
Lori, I see the care and clarity in your words. Holding space for others while honoring limits is not just necessary—it’s the only way to sustain the work. Sensitivity isn’t a weakness, and stepping back isn’t failure. It’s part of the rhythm that keeps change moving forward.
I appreciate how you frame helping as a shared effort, not an individual burden. Nobody carries this alone, and no one should have to. Creating spaces where Sensitive Helpers can both give and receive support is vital. Count me in.
I'm excited to count you in, Jay! I love that you refer to the rhythm of giving and receiving, stepping forward and holding back. It's a wonderful metaphor for how we can be fluid and still make progress over time. Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
The sensitive helper community is an attractive idea, Lori. Looking forward to it.
Thank you, Carol, as always for your support and encouragement! I'm looking forward to sharing more with you in the very near future.
Beautiful piece , Lori . Thank you for knowing us Sensitives of the World 🌎 and for creating a space for nourishment 🙏🏻✨🥰
Thanks, Tamy! I'm glad you're a part of this community!
Hi, I have reached out to sooo many people looking for support for myself. I have always been the one giving it. Now, I need it. No one is there. I started writing, joined Substack, looking, hoping. I've posted some of my writing, I've been commenting on other people's works or post's, supporting, asking for support too. I don't know.
Ah, I feel this! It can take so much time to find and nurture the kinds of relationships that feel reciprocal and supportive. I don't have a magic shortcut, but I do encourage you not to lose hope and to keep reaching out. I'm glad that you're here!
With you. Sometimes we need faith in the sense that we need to “just keep going.” And part of that is summoning the wherewithal to stop and rest for a while: Frodo and Samwise both “giving up” individually while ascending Mt. Doom comes to mind… yet both eventually found ways to proceed by the support of each other.
Go to the Limits of Your Longing (Rilke, Book of Hours, I 59)
God speaks to each of us as he makes us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.
These are the words we dimly hear:
You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.
Flare up like a flame
and make big shadows I can move in.
Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don’t let yourself lose me.
Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.
Give me your hand.
Eric, thanks for sharing! It's not often that Lord of the Rings and Rilke get referenced in the same context, but I love it. I appreciate you pointing out that there interconnectedness and leaning on faith of some sort can help us endure complex challenges.