Journey work per compassioncourge.org is to feel my feelings, find my unmet need, speak my need into an action plan and use respectful self-talk with myself in learning how to take care of myself in a healthy way. Repeat. When sharing my feelings with a healthy empathy buddy, they are to listen deeply, asking pertinent questions that guide me back to my desire to meet my unmet need, and celebrate my growth with me. You do the same for them when they need a listening partner.

Where are the stories that mention feelings in a good way when victimized thinking is left behind and empowerment replaces the sadness with gladness in what has been learned in their experience. Meaning can be found in suffering. Anything less is cynicism. Without hope, victimized thinking wins.

Millions of people in history have gone through far worse in countries that have lost their infrastructure to horribly abusive leaders and have still found meaning and purpose in their lives to rebuild order from the chaos and move on.