Empathetic listening takes work, but if we're not careful, in our attempts to take care of others we can forget to take care of our- selves. When this happens, we become tired, burned out, and no longer capable of connecting or listening with empathy. By manag- ing our listening drain and giving ourselves opportunities to re- cover, we can start feeling better and connect once more. Only when we feel recharged and steady in ourselves can we truly make space for others.