Venting "uncomfortable" empathy

[Irrumi]

Strange question.. But do you feel you want to turn off empathy? I can't bear to see others suffer. Especially when you see this absurdity and pain in life. I don't even know how to help other people. I don't know how to be supportive. I can't say things like "it will get better" or other meaningless phrases. When my significant other complains about life all I think about is "dude, we need to end this shit".

When I see injustice, I just can't accept it. Before that, I suppressed my empathy and told myself that I didn't care.

 

[jodes2]

It would be great if I could turn off empathy, then I could CTB without worrying who I leave behind. I don't know how to be supportive either, my answer to everything is to CTB

 

[Life_and_Death]

I don't even know how to help other people. I don't know how to be supportive. I can't say things like "it will get better" or other meaningless phrases

to "help" someone you dont have to say meaningless phrases. theres this girl that messages me that i help. i give her hugs, tell her i understand and help her find ways to make day to day life slightly more bearable. but i dont tell her it will get better or anything like that. just help her in the moment when she needs me.

Especially when you see this absurdity and pain in life.

this one i completely agree with and struggle with as well.

 

[Irrumi]

to "help" someone you dont have to say meaningless phrases. theres this girl that messages me that i help. i give her hugs, tell her i understand and help her find ways to make day to day life slightly more bearable. but i dont tell her it will get better or anything like that. just help her in the moment when she needs me.


this one i completely agree with and struggle with as well.

I'll try to focus on your example and try it. I guess I'm too embarrassed to say things like "I understand you".

 

[Teddybear]

Strange question.. But do you feel you want to turn off empathy? I can't bear to see others suffer. Especially when you see this absurdity and pain in life. I don't even know how to help other people. I don't know how to be supportive. I can't say things like "it will get better" or other meaningless phrases. When my significant other complains about life all I think about is "dude, we need to end this shit".

When I see injustice, I just can't accept it. Before that, I suppressed my empathy and told myself that I didn't care.

For myself I distinguish between sympathy and empathy: The civilians in some far away war zone got my sympathy. But I spare my empathy for those I can offer some real help.

Because empathy makes you suffer, too, you should apply it sparingly. The state of "the world" at large never caused me sleepless nights. Its the misery too close to home that keeps me restless in the dark.

 

[Mr2005]

No I'd rather suffer. Not carings for pussies

 

[jodes2]

No I'd rather suffer. Not carings for pussies

I'm a pussy. Wish I didn't care

 

[FuneralCry]

It's understandable wanting to turn off empathy as caring too much can be painful and just lead to more suffering, but I wouldn't personally. For me it would be impossible not to be bothered by all the pain that exists in the world.

 

[theboy]

It is painful to see the suffering of others but the good thing is that you are aware of this because many people avoid mentioning or even looking at these people.

 

[𖣴 nadia 𖣴]

It's depressing to feel strong empathy because I'm not in a position where I can help anyone in a tangible way.