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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Trauma Stewardship summary
Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, Connie Burk
An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others
23 mins
Brief summary
Trauma Stewardship offers guidance for individuals working in trauma-exposed professions, emphasizing self-care and mindfulness to sustain well-being. It provides strategies for maintaining resilience and purpose while fostering a life of service without burnout.
Table of Contents
Trauma Stewardship
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
The path of the witness
We all know the world holds pain. But some professions see it every day, from social workers supporting families through crises to environmental scientists documenting our planet’s decline. This witnessing changes you. Sometimes it happens in ways you notice immediately, and sometimes in ways that slowly emerge over time.
When you work with suffering, your body and mind respond to this exposure in natural, predictable ways. You might notice yourself becoming numb to things that once moved you deeply. Or find it difficult to stop thinking about work during your personal time. Many helpers discover they’re sleeping poorly, feeling irritable, or losing their sense of purpose. These responses aren’t signs of weakness – they’re normal human reactions to bearing witness to pain.
Your personal history with hardship and trauma shapes how you respond to others’ suffering as well. The challenges you’ve faced in your own life might make you particularly attuned to certain types of pain, or they might create specific areas where you find it harder to stay present.
Some helpers discover that their work brings up painful memories of personal struggles, while others notice that their experiences deepen their capacity for empathy. Each person’s journey with trauma exposure is uniquely influenced by their own story. Understanding this connection is a crucial part of sustainable caregiving.
Consider the experience of Sarah, an experienced emergency room nurse. For years, she prided herself on staying calm and focused during crisis situations. Gradually, though, she noticed herself becoming distant from both her patients and her colleagues. At home, she struggled to connect with her family, feeling that no one could understand what she experienced at work. Small problems began to feel overwhelming, while major emergencies barely registered emotionally. Sarah wasn’t burning out – she was experiencing a natural response to trauma exposure.
The path forward isn’t about eliminating these responses or becoming immune to suffering. Instead, it’s about developing awareness of how trauma exposure affects us, and learning to navigate these effects with wisdom and self-compassion. In the coming sections, you’ll discover that you already possess many of the tools needed for this journey. Through understanding and practice, you can find ways to remain present with others’ pain while honoring your own well-being.
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What is Trauma Stewardship about?
Trauma Stewardship (2009) explores how witnessing trauma affects caregivers, and offers a framework for maintaining well-being while doing challenging work. It provides practical ways to process trauma exposure at personal, organizational, and societal levels while remaining present to the suffering of others.
Who should read Trauma Stewardship?
- Mental health professionals and social workers wanting to stay engaged
- Nonprofit organizers and community leaders on the front lines of trauma
- Anyone looking for ways to engage with trauma without feeling overwhelmed
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