Chapter 3: Helping Without Hurting
You can care deeply — and still have limits.
It’s incredibly brave to be there for someone who's struggling. But here’s the part people don’t talk about enough: you have to take care of yourself, too.
When you're constantly supporting someone who's in pain, it can start to wear you down. You might feel exhausted, helpless, or like you're carrying something too heavy for your hands. That doesn't mean you're selfish. It means you're human.
You’re allowed to say:
“I care about you, and I want to help — but I also think you might need more support than I can give.”
“I’m here for you, but I need to take care of myself too. Would it help if we found someone you could talk to?”