Do you keep placing your life behind everyone else’s? Do you focus so much on the happiness of those around you that you forget about your own? Are you putting your personal well being on the back burner as soon as you get out of bed?
As women, we are taught to take care of, nurture and please everyone around us. We’re raised to think we should always put others before ourselves and ignore our own needs. Somehow, if we don’t ignore our needs we seem arrogant and self-centered.
So, we pour our time, energy and emotions into other people. It’s what we do. Sometimes this feels good, rewarding and natural. Sometimes it feels overwhelming, insulting and exhausting. But for many of us, putting other people’s needs ahead of our own is a way of life. It has become our normal.
So how did you lose yourself?
Something is holding you back from meeting your basic needs.
- Here are some possibilities:
1. You don’t feel worthy.
2. You fear being perceived as selfish.
3. You pride yourself on being a caregiver.
4. You believe people won’t like you or they’ll leave you if you say no.
5. You feel responsible for others.
6. You don’t realize that you’ve taught them how to treat you.
7. You expect others will take care of you when you need it.
So, how can you make self-care a priority in your life, without feeling like an awful person?
Start believing it’s ok to put yourself first. Start perceiving self-care as a necessity rather than an indulgence. Work on changing your mindset to that of self-care being about preservation rather than selfishness.
If you can’t find time to put yourself first, you’ll eventually have to find time for your illness.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean you don’t care about others. Nor does it mean that the people around you will suffer greatly or sink into deep despair.
You matter too. It’s time to invest in you.
Email me to schedule a consultation.
carrie@carrienet.com
Carrie
