@Dreamy 

I know exactly what you mean.  I think ive talked about it here, but i used to love just laying outside and starting at the stars.  It was more than just a love of space as a kid, it was like staring up at the universe i felt a part of something.  That was always powerful to me, even as a little kid because i never feel a part of anything here on Earth.  I still struggle to.

Yeah 😥 There's so much bad stuff happening to people for no good reason and it just should not be able to happen!  So by helping others, i think it gives us a sense of power that we could never find for ourselves.  Like trying to find some light in the darkness.  Some days just getting through to the end is hard enough, but to find energy and strength to help others on days like that shows something not many people have.

You would know far more about these grounding techniques than me, so I don't really have any thing else to suggest.  Any you know me... if i can't think of anything to suggest, I'll suggest something anyway 😁  Maybe the trick for you is not to get in the present.  Maybe it's to stay in the past but go to happy times.  Like thinking of the times with your dogs, or even playing with those kittens yesterday.  Make those memories your little oasis's of peace.  If you mind wants to go back, try to take it there instead.  I sort of do this when i'm really being troubled mentally.  Not to the extent of yours by any means, but i do like to imagine i'm back somewhere happy and not remember it, but go back there.  Think of myself there and doing the things i could do if i was back there.  So more like i'm living it but i can only see and hear and feel with my mind.  I just like being there when i'm feeling depressed, down or stressed.  I've done it ever since i was a kid, so i've had a lot of practice.  But maybe it will help you a little as well.