Global Grief Network logoGGN Secondary Grief and Compassion Fatigue
Global Grief Network Education Center
Module 3 of 6

Boundaries and Sustainable Care

About 1 hour

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988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7 by call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans: dial 988 then press 1. Outside the US, use your local emergency number or crisis line. This program is education, not crisis care. If you are struggling as you read, please pause and reach out now.

Lessons in this module
  1. What boundaries are
  2. Caring without carrying everything
  3. Sustainable routines

Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Lesson

What boundaries are

Boundaries are limits that protect your time, energy, and wellbeing. They make it possible to keep caring over the long term. Examples include work hours, how you respond to messages, and what you take on.

Caring without carrying everything

It is possible to care deeply without carrying every outcome. You can be present for someone while accepting that their grief is theirs and that many people contribute to their support.

Sustainable routines

Routines like a short ritual at the end of a shift, regular breaks, and protected time off can help leave work at work. Teams can share heavy cases.

GGN reminder: Boundaries are not walls. They are what make lasting care possible.
GGN practiceAn end of day ritual (about 10 minutes)

Design a short ritual to mark the end of a caring day, such as washing your hands slowly, stepping outside, or naming three things you did well. Try it this week. If this brings up pain, pause and reach out to someone you trust, or call or text 988.

Fictional storyFictional Story 3.1: The always on caregiver

Imani cares for her mother and also answers grieving friends' messages late into the night. She feels exhausted and guilty if she does not respond right away.

Questions to consider:

  1. How could boundaries help Imani?
  2. What might she say?

Discussion: Imani could set times when she responds to messages and ask others to share support. She might say: I care about you and I will reply tomorrow morning.

Reflection Prompts

  1. Where do you need stronger boundaries?
  2. What would caring without carrying everything look like for you?
  3. Which routines help you leave work at work?

Module 3 Quiz

Choose one answer per question, then check your answers. You need 4 of 5 correct to pass, and every critical item must be correct. You can retake it any time.