• Day 464 •
(I posted this in the Cafe, but I think it's important enough to post it here for more exposure.)
Note to mods and admins:
As I see it, when you guys moved into your positions you took on a different sort of responsibility to the group. You moved into a role that is primarily that of being caregivers. Sure there always is some giving and receiving in the mutual accountability that is part of KTC, but by definition, your roles make you more givers than receivers.
I’m pointing this out, not because I know better than you, but merely as a warning. Over the past week or two, I’ve seen some of you come close to “burnout.” To avoid getting emotionally exhausted by constantly giving, you will need to keep connected to those who have helped you with your quits. You may even need to ask some special quit friends to be a listening ear for you. Your own personal support base needs to be strengthened or the loneliness of leadership will exacerbate the funks that we addicts all experience.
Long term and effective service to KTC necessitates this healthy balance of giving and receiving. We’ve all seen the “drama queens” who think they deserve everything given to them on a silver platter. They are self destructive. Be careful that you don’t end up in the opposite extreme of getting too caught up in giving that you fail to receive or seek the support that you need.
If this is something that all of you discuss regularly, please excuse my candidness. But IÂ’ve experienced the dysfunction of burnout firsthand and have helped many others to struggle through it. The recovery process can be rough and itÂ’s best to avoid the need if possible.
