Thread by @edyong209

Let me share a nice thing. We could all use some nice things.

I got an email yesterday, from a person I've never heard from before, but whose name I recognised. 1/

"Good Afternoon, Ed.

I am a long-time trauma worker and work contiuously with folks affected by vicarious trauma. I was asked to write two books, both of them cover much of what you write about. 2/

"I am moved by your reporting and am hoping to send you a few things in case they may be of any help or support to you or your comrades. I’m deeply grateful for your work in this realm.

Laura van Dernoot Lipsky"

That's lovely. But also! I sent her this reply:

3/

"Laura, this email made my day, and likely for reasons you could not possibly have guessed. My wife works as the executive director of a storytelling organization and we talk constantly about the emotional burden & responsibility of bearing witness to other people's stories." 4/

"A few years ago, I gave her your book as a Christmas present to thank her for all that she does, & she has found the ideas within it so incredibly useful ever since. Liz and I have discussed those ideas a lot, and they've animated a lot of how I think about my work." 5/

"They're part of why I write about the mental health of public health ppl & others on the front lines of disasters. So when you say you're moved by my reporting, what you're seeing is some of your own work reflected back at you. I hope that's a light in these dark times.

Ed" 6/

So, for everyone who felt seen after reading this burnout piece, and who's stretched to the limits right now, I put it to you that you never know how your work and actions ripple outwards. 7/

theatlantic.com/health/archive…

And you might want to check out this book: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/574932/t…

/Fin

PS: Laura's not on Twitter, but I've sent her a collection of screengrabs of all the people who've replied and either already read/loved her book, or are going to buy it on the back of this. Thanks, all.