Self.
It’s a tiny, loaded, powerful word.
For people whose natural inclination is to take care of others, using time and energy to care for themselves can be upsetting. Depending on the person, it varies from slightly uncomfortable to downright distressing.
When faced with the idea, there may be a freak-out: “What?! Myself? How will…? What can…? I can’t do that!”
You can. You really can.
Here’s a thing I’ve realized.
If you have a tendency to focus on others, it’s difficult to shift that focus. It may seem unlikely to happen. Impossible even. When you begin focusing on your Self, you’ll find a thought popping up often (the persistent little bugger):
“If I’m spending all that time taking care of myself, I won’t be able to take care of anyone else!”
Wrong.
“If I’m spending all that time taking care of myself, I won’t be able to take care of everyone else!”
That’s it, my friends.
Take that in. Accept it. Embrace it.
My random thoughts in 200 words or less.
You can’t do it all.
Don’t be that person. The harried, stressed, wreck who tries to help everyone and tries to do everything to the detriment of his or her Self, family, health, relationships…whatever.
Yes, this means you have to make decisions. When will you agree? When will you decline? Choose wisely. And ditch the guilt. (It can be done. I have faith in you.)
A lot has happened since I chose ‘Self” as my One Word for 2018. Some of it good. Some of it not so good. All of it eye-opening. Take care of yourselves, gentle readers.
Lemon Shark 