Comment by justajot | Hacker News Reader

Comment by justajot | Hacker News Reader

I can identify with much of what you wrote, especially surrounding the desire to help others. Noting another comment on how you don't want to deal with the "serious stuff," I'm highly recommending you look into the coaching profession. It sounds to be exactly what you're looking for in terms of training.

In general, therapy is designed to help people who are suffering from mental health and emotional wellness issues. The goal is help these people to baseline. Coaching assumes a baseline level of mental health and emotional wellness, and is designed to move people towards some measurable goal. Advice giving is not a part of either of these professions for good reason.

Consultants and mentors are related professions that ARE about advice-giving. These are wonderful as well, just different.

Also, many kudos for putting yourself out there!! There are tons of people who need and are looking for help.

source: am a coach trained by an ICF (International Coaching Federation) accredited program.

Really appreciate the feedback. But the big problem I see with all the professions is exactly that, they are professions that end up costing way too much as a service for people who are probably struggling to afford this and that. Also, the fact that they are professional services makes the barrier higher for people who are less inclined to seek help.

My vision is to provide something very low-barrier, both in cost and accessibility in general. It'll be something I provide for free, online, and can be instrumental in helping someone who's lost to at least get a sense of where to look. Something like that. :)

For providing free support, have you considered a meetup group?

I run a self-compassion meetup group and it’s been a wonderful platform to create an online space for sharing emotional support together, and free for members (I pay the meetup organiser fee).

It feels rewarding and meaningful to offer support out of love, not money. Just humans being caring to each other. :)

It's a good idea, but it only really works locally. And I think meeting in-person can become "too much" at times. I definitely am for this idea, but I think it only works for certain people.

It used to be local but since the pandemic, our meetup became online only.

We get people from all around the world, often without webcams so it’s like a multi-person phone call, which helps it feel more comfortable (especially when sharing vulnerable emotions).

Whichever path you choose, I wish you luck with your journey.

That's really interesting!

I recently proposed an idea in a subreddit (for enneagram 9s) to see if people were interested in starting a peer-support group over zoom, webcam optional.

I don't think I'll be able to execute it as my own personal life is pretty busy, but the folks there were really enthusiastic about the idea.

So yeah your online meet up thing, that's super cool that it works!

I wouldn't mind chatting more about it if you're interested in sharing. My email's in my profile. :)

Many people are baseline but struggle to reach higher. Perhaps advice would work for this group.

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