To Take Care of Others You Should Take Care of You

In the middle of a worldwide pandemic, we are being challenged like never before to work together, love each other, support each other, and stand strong.

So each day this month, I’m offering you 4 gifts: 1 image, 1 quote, 1 idea, and 1 action you might want to try. I hope this helps get you through.

Here is your 11:11 for today.

ONE IMAGE

ONE QUOTE

When I was around 18, I looked in the mirror and said,
‘You’re either going to love yourself or hate yourself.’
And I decided to love myself. That changed a lot of things.
_{― Queen Latifah (b. 1970) American rapper, singer, songwriter}

ONE IDEA

Just last week, I spoke to a client who’d spent a good part of her adult life taking care of everyone around her, often to her own detriment. I’ve been helping her learn how to set firmer boundaries, how to state her needs and wants clearly and without apology, and how to be a leader in her own life.

The whole idea felt pretty radical at first…

But this week, I learned that she’s having real success. Not only had she been able to set clear boundaries in her personal life, she’d found the strength to do that in her professional life as well. And the results were amazing to her.

Suddenly, people were listening to her, responding to her, respecting her wishes to a greater degree. And when I asked her how that felt, she said it felt great.

I could see the grin on her face, and knew a shift had happened.

Being kind and compassionate, caring for our families and our clients, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care for ourselves. Even now. Perhaps, especially now.

And sometimes, that means putting your own needs first.

ONE THING to TRY

I’ll bet that a lot of you can relate to this. Many of you are healers, helpers and empaths, who care deeply for those around you and often feel what others feel.

If you’re trying to run a business, take care of family, serve your clients AND somehow stay safe through all of it, you may be exhausted. Or stretched too thin. You may feel like you have little left to give – to anyone.

And no one can blame you.

Please care for the caregivers. And since, I’ll bet, that person is you, I am encouraging you to care for yourself.

That means treating yourself with love and respect. Sometimes that means saying no, or even ‘not yet’, to family, friends, or even clients. Sometimes it means that you take a mental health day and cancel all your calls. Or grab a 15 minute nap after lunch. Maybe it means you get the last scoop of ice cream.

We need you to last. So please be good to you.

And be well,