Now, I really still am one of the most giving, helpful people I know. If someone is down on their luck, I am the first one there to help them out, with food or money or a place to crash for a while. And really, I think I'll always be that person. But I also got to a point where I realized that all I was doing was things that would benefit others, and nothing that would benefit me. I was tired, I was broken. I realized after a very long time that you can't pour from an empty cup.
It's sort of ironic, I think, that the person who made me really see the need for self-care was a person who's also been through a lot, and who also seemed pretty broken. A friend had gone through some serious mental health stuff, and was pretty bad off (thankfully she seems so much better these days, but I know it's still a constant struggle for her), and I knew that it was going to get to that point for me if I didn't take a deep breath, back off, and take some time for myself. Truly, taking care of me was the most loving thing I could ever do for myself.
"You can't pour from an empty cup." I love this phrase! It took me a long time to come to this conclusion, as well. I used to feel selfish EVERY time I did something just for me, but now when that little voice in the back of my head starts questioning whether or not I'm being selfish, I promptly tell it to SHUT UP!
ReplyDeleteYES! And it took me such a long time to get to that point for me. I was on the verge of a mental breakdown when I finally realized I was allowed to tell people no. It was a glorious day!
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