I’m not sure if you have been on an airplane lately, but if you have you’ll remember the safety demonstration that they do before take-off. There is a part where they say: In the event of a decompression, an oxygen mask will automatically appear in front of you. If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask first, and then assist the other person.
Taking care of yourself first is all about setting healthy boundaries. If you find you are always helping others, eventually you will run your reserves dry. Are there certain people in your life that make you feel obligated to do for them? Are there situations where you feel it is necessary to prove your worth? Do you feel that some people just suck the life out of you so much so that their problems suddenly become yours?
What would healthy boundaries look like to you? Perhaps you can imagine a semi-permeable membrane where what you want to experience can pass in and what you don’t want is kept out. The first step is to figure out what you want. What recharges your battery? How can you do more of this so you are fully alive and enjoying life? From this position of ease and strength, with grace and patience, you can then help others.
We will do some goal setting to determine what your desired state is, develop positive affirmations that support your goal and then I’ll teach you some strategies that will reinforce the work we do together. It will most likely become obvious that your current state is not sustainable and that change will be like a breath of fresh air.