Sometimes people need someone to listen without fixing. Sometimes they need affirmation that what they are going through is incredibly hard. That we still grieve months (and years) after a person dies. That parenting is hard. That sleeplessness due to parenting is extra hard. That pandemic parenting unvaccinated kids during a COVID wave is…beyond.

We aren’t always able to hold space for others (because it does take emotional bandwidth).

I’m glad when I am able to return some of what has been done for me over the last few years, either for individuals or by helping foster communities where support could bloom. Let people help if they are managing to hold space without fixing. Politely and quickly leave the situation if they are making it worse.