Your energy and empathy are finite resources, which means the more we spend on one particular group, the less we have for others (including ourselves). After becoming a mother and struggling to find a balance between my career as a lawyer and my children, I learned that time, energy, and empathy are not unlimited resources and our tanks will not always be full.
Professions that require constant empathy can lead to compassion fatigue, a term developed in healthcare after observing nurses in the emergency ward. Psychologist Charles Figley defines compassion fatigue as “a state of exhaustion and dysfunction, biologically, physiologically and emotionally, as a result of prolonged exposure to compassion stress” as well as a “decreased sense of purpose.” Long hours and heavy caseloads may also lead to compassion fatigue as people feel emotionally drained and burdened by work-related demands.
For instance, while working as the only Thai-speaking immigration lawyer in Vancouver, British Columbia, I was required to work long hours with a diverse range of clients who were going through significant immigration challenges to stay in Canada with their families. I also assisted refugee claimants from numerous countries who were forced to flee persecution or human rights violations. I assisted refugee claimants from Syria and had to detail their harrowing and disturbing accounts of torture, starvation, arbitrary detention, kidnappings, sexual violence, and abuse.
Those who work for charities and other non-profit organizations are at similar risk of developing compassion fatigue. The turnover for volunteers is extremely high because of the empathetically demanding nature of the work. Also, low pay exacerbates the element of self-sacrifice for the greater good. In addition, there is an expectation that volunteers and those who work for non-profit organizations should not operate as a business (such as investing in operating costs and reserve funds). Society has an erroneous belief that non-profit organizations should operate by using donated funds directly for the mission, which is not always wise. Non-profit organizations often face criticism when they try to behave as a business in order to keep the organization running smoothly during an economic recession or other unanticipated pauses in donations, such as the pandemic. As such, non-profit organizations are erroneously expected to thrive through selfless outpourings of compassion from workers.
Although being an active philanthropist is a beautiful pursuit that has the potential to truly enrich the lives of those who do it, philanthropy is empathetically demanding. I work with non-profit organizations focused on ending human trafficking, child labour, and the killing or endangerment of at-risk species and their habitats. So, how do I find the balance between helping causes that I care deeply about and maintaining a healthy mental state?
Make time for self-care (also known as “empathy breaks”)
As obvious as it may seem, it is difficult to do in practice. It is extremely crucial to allow yourself to focus on your own personal needs in order to replenish your energy and empathy reserves. If you do not, you will eventually feel depleted.
Research has demonstrated that those who allow themselves to take self-focused breaks subsequently report feeling more empathy for others. This may seem counterintuitive. However, when people feel restored, they are in a better position to perform their tasks with empathy and respond better to what others need.
For instance, some companies have implemented policies where when workers go on vacation, their email accounts are shut off to allow employees to concentrate on themselves without interruption. The same philosophy can also be applied to volunteer and non-profit work to avoid compassion fatigue. The point is to allow yourself a moment to do something kind for yourself.
Social connection
I personally think that creating a community of like-minded individuals is one of the best strategies and one of the most powerful things you can do. Maintaining a support group of friends, colleagues, and family is crucial in preventing and identifying compassion fatigue. Sharing your feelings and connecting with those who share a similar belief and/or experience is a beneficial coping mechanism.
Logical approach instead of empathy?
Some controversial psychologists have argued against empathy. They argue that people can be moral without depending on empathy, which is biased, unreliable and prone to fatigue. Instead, they argue for a more logical approach in which we help people who need the most help (rather than who you sympathize with the most).
For instance, philosopher Peter Singer believes in a concept known as “effective altruism” where charities would maximize the common good. Effective altruism is a philosophical and social movement that advocates “using evidence and reason to figure out how to benefit others as much as possible, and taking action on that basis.” This means donating to charities that make an impact on the largest number of people. This approach emphasizes impartiality, entrepreneurial ventures, and policies aimed at saving the most lives over time. However, this may lead to smaller charities being neglected since they only help a small number of people in the local community.
Hopefully, this blog will help you find peace and happiness in your philanthropic efforts and enable you to take care of yourself and continue your efforts to make the world a better place.
Click here to learn more about Katrina Sriranpong and her work.