Empathy vs. Compassion
The IDG framework describes Empathy and Compassion as: “the ability to relate to others, oneself, and nature with kindness, empathy, and compassion—and the intention to address related suffering.” It also highlights that while empathy lets us feel what others feel, compassion is what motivates us to act or to stay present, without becoming overwhelmed.
Lately I’ve been thinking… how do we keep showing up for others without draining ourselves dry?
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How do you know when you're carrying too much of someone else’s stuff?
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What helps you take care of you, so you can keep showing up for others?
Let's chat. We’re all figuring it out. 💛
@peacestorm1115
How do you know when you're carrying too much of someone else’s stuff? When you get overwhelmed, burned out, and can't function because you're carrying your and their weight when you're exhausted.
What helps you take care of you so you can keep showing up for others? Have time to yourself, take a break, read a book, watch a movie, hang out with friends, or talk to them over the phone.
@Rose1324 I agree with you we should consider our own safety first then carry others' problems
@peacestorm1115
This post really hits home—thank you for opening up this conversation. Empathy and compassion are such beautiful qualities, but they can also be heavy to carry, especially for those of us who naturally want to help and support others.
For me, I’ve learned that I start carrying too much of someone else’s emotional weight when I feel their pain as if it’s my own and start losing touch with what I need. If I’m constantly worried, emotionally drained after every interaction, or feeling guilty when I set a boundary, that’s usually my signal that I’m overextending.
What’s helped me is building in small, intentional moments of care for myself—like walks without my phone, journaling before bed, or even giving myself permission to not respond right away when I’m feeling depleted. I’ve also learned that empathy doesn’t mean absorbing someone’s pain; it means being with them without losing myself in the process.
We can’t pour from an empty cup, and it’s not selfish to rest—it’s what allows us to show up with presence and love again and again.
@peacestorm1115
For me, I’ve started to notice I’m carrying too much of someone else’s emotional weight when I feel a lingering heaviness, even after the conversation is over. My mind stays stuck in their story, and I lose touch with my own needs or energy levels. That’s my cue to pause and ask, “Is this mine to carry?” It doesn’t mean I stop caring—it just means I need to set a gentle boundary between being present and being consumed.
What helps me is taking intentional time to reset—whether through journaling, a quiet walk, or even just five deep breaths to ground myself back in my own body. I’ve also learned that it’s okay to say, “I’m here for you, but I need to take a moment to recharge,” especially in ongoing emotional situations. Compassion doesn’t mean self-sacrifice—it means showing up with love and sustainability.
@peacestorm1115
I’ve learned that setting boundaries is key knowing when to step back so I don’t lose myself in someone else’s pain. For me, self-care looks like small daily routines that recharge me, whether it’s time with my dog or just quiet moments alone and even reading. What about you? How do you find balance when supporting others?
@peacestorm1115 I think we carry someone's problems too much when it starts to affect us while he himself will not care as we cared for him
@peacestorm1115 What helps us to keep showing up to others is that we consider our own safety first and then caring for others. Otherwise we might instead of helping, hurt them even if we don't mean it.
@peacestorm1115 I really appreciate what you shared:) It’s such a delicate balance. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that compassion doesn’t mean self-sacrifice. For me, pausing to check in with my own energy before saying “yes” has been a game changer. Boundaries, I’m realizing, aren’t wall, they’re bridges that help us keep showing up with care, not resentment.
@peacestorm1115 Hi
Speaking for myself, I show up for people without draining myself by maintaining boundaries, If I feel myself getting overwhelmed or I know that I will be overwhelmed by a certain situation I maintain distance and take a step back. Having boundaries are important for our wellbeing.
