I’m in a lot of digital circles with a lot of emotional outpouring, my husk is frequently on call, but I’m close enough to find my way back easily. For whatever reason, I’ve tucked you (your avatar at least) into my 150, so I’m genuinely right here when I say, this sounds like a fucking nightmare and please take care of yourself. The analysis of thrusting vs ingesting is brilliant. Compass as well. You nailed this, Will.
Thanks :) Thanks for including me in your 150! haha Yes, no need to worry, I am certainly taking care of myself--called upon memories of times when I wasn't to write this.
Good good. Perhaps a sequel exists that speaks to the muscle memory of traveling back to the husk time and time again. Workin' those calves! Deeper lung capacity! All in the name of resilience. Maybe we can carve out a deeper cup of care over time.
An interesting piece Will...Appreciate the work that you do...the writing and being on call for folks who need someone. Looking forward to reading more :)
Like yours, my job positions me in an empathy-giving position. I struggled to describe the challenge of this for years: helping and caring, listening and empathizing “feel good” but they also exhaust me. Some days I feel like a fountain that empathetic water gushes from; other days, I’m your word: a husk. A dry empty husk.
A friend told me once when I admitted to having gone bone-dry, that “You can’t pour from an empty cup” and I try to hold onto that statement as a tool for giving myself (and others, really) grace. Some days I can let the compassion flow, but other days I’m tapped out and I can’t be the same wealth of love. My cup’s gotta fill first, and that might take some time. People get it when I put it this way because it gives them permission to acknowledge their own huskification.
This is all to say: reading this was a poignant reminder of those words. Thanks for sharing it, among all the other compassion your work sees you sharing.
Thanks for reading Michael—I agree with everything you say. It’s definitely important to look after yourself even though it seems at odds with putting others first. Keep filling that cup!
I’m in a lot of digital circles with a lot of emotional outpouring, my husk is frequently on call, but I’m close enough to find my way back easily. For whatever reason, I’ve tucked you (your avatar at least) into my 150, so I’m genuinely right here when I say, this sounds like a fucking nightmare and please take care of yourself. The analysis of thrusting vs ingesting is brilliant. Compass as well. You nailed this, Will.
Thanks :) Thanks for including me in your 150! haha Yes, no need to worry, I am certainly taking care of myself--called upon memories of times when I wasn't to write this.
Good good. Perhaps a sequel exists that speaks to the muscle memory of traveling back to the husk time and time again. Workin' those calves! Deeper lung capacity! All in the name of resilience. Maybe we can carve out a deeper cup of care over time.
Definitely! The tale of my husk and I has yet to be written! I'm hoping to do some check-ins on this topic as time goes on
I feel quite lucky to have stumbled into this. Wonderful examination
Thanks for checking it out Alex!!
spot on. reminded me of this https://youtu.be/hf600ySAzFs?si=Kh01YwZdccgiKYcc
Oh wow, this video makes me feel like I'm at work haha Thanks for sharing!
yeah, sorry, it's intense, won the Bafta, powerful stuff. /respect
No worries at all, thanks for sharing ! I’ll do a deep dive on it
awesome. it def. needs more eyeballs on it. I used it in class last year, the room went silent fast.
What do you teach?
Narrative Design in Video Games, with focus on Creative Writing
An interesting piece Will...Appreciate the work that you do...the writing and being on call for folks who need someone. Looking forward to reading more :)
Thanks for reading, Peter!
Like yours, my job positions me in an empathy-giving position. I struggled to describe the challenge of this for years: helping and caring, listening and empathizing “feel good” but they also exhaust me. Some days I feel like a fountain that empathetic water gushes from; other days, I’m your word: a husk. A dry empty husk.
A friend told me once when I admitted to having gone bone-dry, that “You can’t pour from an empty cup” and I try to hold onto that statement as a tool for giving myself (and others, really) grace. Some days I can let the compassion flow, but other days I’m tapped out and I can’t be the same wealth of love. My cup’s gotta fill first, and that might take some time. People get it when I put it this way because it gives them permission to acknowledge their own huskification.
This is all to say: reading this was a poignant reminder of those words. Thanks for sharing it, among all the other compassion your work sees you sharing.
Thanks for reading Michael—I agree with everything you say. It’s definitely important to look after yourself even though it seems at odds with putting others first. Keep filling that cup!
Wow! I can relate
Thank you for your words
Thank you, Stacy! I'm glad you could relate! Cheers.
Well said Will, I couldn’t agree more :)
Thanks Michael!!
Very eloquent and heartfelt, Will. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading!!
Wow, 3 hit hard. Thank you for the job you do. You’re an excellent writer as well. “Compass in compassion…” that really made me think.
Thanks for the kind words Clancy!
Thanks for checking it out, Bethel!
Thanks for the kind words! Glad it could resonate! I will check this out