I love what I do- walking alongside my patient’s and their families at the end of life is the deepest privilege of my life- but I’d be lying if I said it never leaves me emotionally tapped out.
Here’s the thing: Compassion fatigue is real. It doesn’t mean we’re bad at our jobs or that we can’t handle the work. It just… is. Being human means we feel. Showing up in hospice care means we feel deeply. And sometimes, that very tenderness that makes us good at what we do also asks a lot from our hearts.
So, let’s normalize compassion fatigue. Let’s talk about it without shame. Because naming it is part of caring for ourselves.
Self-Care Isn’t Always Bubble Baths and Binge Watching
I’ll admit- sometimes self care looks like a Meg Ryan rom-com marathon with a blanket and a pile of carbs (and honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what the doctor ordered). More and more, however, I’ve found the best self care is the kind that makes me feel like me again.
- Folding laundry while a candle burns nearby
- Taking an “everything shower” where I wash, scrub, exfoliate, moisturize, and walk out feeling brand new
- Sitting on the floor building with magna tiles with my nieces, allowing their laughter and imagination untangle the heaviness in my chest.
Self care doesn’t have to be glamorous- it can be grounding. It’s about coming home to yourself in simple, ordinary ways.
Why it Matters
If we pour and pour without refilling, we eventually run dry. For those of us in caregiving roles, that reality can sneak up quickly. But when I choose to rest, to laugh, to breathe, to reconnect with my people and my own sense of self, I’m not just “taking a break.” I’m equipping myself to walk back into those hard spaces with gentleness, patience, and compassion intact.
Because at the end of the day, the best way I can honor my patients and families is to show up whole. And sometimes that means giving myself permission to pause and be cared for, too.
⭐ Maybe your version of self care is gardening, painting, calling a friend, or simply sitting in the quiet. Whatever it looks like, please know this: compassion fatigue doesn’t disqualify you. It just reminds you that you’re human- and humans need tending, too.