“There’s compelling research that shows that compassion fatigue occurs when caregivers focus on their own personal distress reaction rather than on the experience of the person they are caring for. Focusing on one’s own emotional reaction results in an inability to respond empathically to the person in need. In this view, the more appropriate term, rather than “compassion fatigue,” might be “empathic distress fatigue.” We’re not hearing the story, we’re inserting ourselves in the story.”
― Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
― Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
“Yes, I was lonely, but I knew then and I know now: I did it because I wanted to change my life. That's what we have to do. We step in the shit on purpose so we're forced to buy new shoes. You know what I'm saying?”
― How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water
― How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water
“Very few people can handle being held accountable without rationalizing, blaming, or shutting down;”
― Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
― Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
“She knew I had to cry until I undrown from the inside.”
― How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water
― How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water
“Cara, we must not wait to live the life we want. Find a way to be present with the people you love.”
― How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water
― How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water
Leen’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Leen’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
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