“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
~ Eleanor Brownn
This past week I’ve given all I had and then some. I was glad to do it, and grateful to be well enough to be able to sustain a high level of service and support for others. I’ve had days and long nights of being on call. High stress. Just a few hours sleep.
There were two spaces I lived in. The one where I was being strong for everyone else, providing guidance and love, messages and psychic insights, and endless support. There was the other space. The private space where I retreated late at night or early in the morning to rage and grieve and process all of my own emotions. After which I’d gather myself back together and start again. Crazy. Intense. Demanding.
No-one can work like that all the time.
Why do I know that? I used to try, and of course it always ended with me crashing and burning. Eventually. Or sooner.
I’d love to say that it’s all about balance. But I’ve found that life is rarely so organised. Sometimes it does demand all that we have and then some. Sometimes we’re twiddling our thumbs with time on our hands.
I’ve also found that making the time for self-care sometimes demands more courage than to keep driving the bus, crazy-eyed with exhaustion and white-knuckled from the effort it takes to hang on to that damned steering wheel.
When I’m in that place now, I pull over.
I’ve learned to be present when I’m needed, and to step back when it’s all over, making myself unavailable to others so that I can fill my tank back up again. I do that with rest, meditation, good food, time on my own, lots of hugs, and things that give me nurture and inspiration – music, books, movies, writing in quiet morning cafes. I do it with clear boundaries, and an awesome husband and PA (Thanks Ben and Dana!) who are able to maintain those boundaries – which sometimes includes them telling me to step away and rest! 🙂 I also do it by giving myself time to feel my emotions. To cry or be angry or sad or bereft or awestruck or whatever else is going on for me.
I no longer try to pretend to myself or the ones closest to me that things are okay. I no longer push through it. I no longer plaster on my happy face if I cannot do that. (Sometimes I can, and it is what is needed for that moment.)
Self-care is an antidote to burn-out. It’s the solution to relationship, job or care-induced resentment. It’s the magical tonic that puts the spring back in your step, the smile back on your face and the music back in your heart.
If you’re feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, underwhelmed, cranky, short-tempered or lacking in joy, maybe you’d benefit from creating some space to unplug for a while, so that you can focus on your own needs instead of the needs of everyone else.
Filling the emptying well so that you can draw from it again is the only way you can ever truly be your best, and give your best to others.
What fills you back up?
Do some of that this week, or plan to do it as soon as you possibly can. You’re worth it. And your life will begin to change in unexpected and wonderful ways when you value yourself.
I’m holding you in my prayers and meditations, and sending you so much love, Nicole xx
The energy work needed is off the charts at the moment, isn’t it? I don’t work like you, on the front lines, neck deep in it all – but I work in my own way. I attended my monthly meditation group on Saturday, where we worked with the earth star chakra, what I think of as our planet earth docking station. I’m still recovering 😊 from what I’m not sure!
Self-care was the biggest lesson I learned in 2014 and I’ve grown so much as a person because of it. Nowadays I manage my compassion with my own need to survive.
What fills me up is much the same as what fills you up Nicole .
Here’s a few extras ;
Snuggled up on the bed with a blanket and a good book watching the rain pouring outside .
Next day walking down the lane of washed snowdrops and yellow tips of daffodils with the odd bleat of a newly born lamb,
Sitting in the fugg of our local pub with half a beer and a bag of salted nuts while watching the crashing waves on the sandy shore .
MMMMMMmmmmm they all fill me up.
I wish you all fill you deserve …Take care
Cherryx
“I’d love to say that it’s all about balance. But I’ve found that life is rarely so organised. ”
^^^^^^^^ Uh-huh. See. And gosh darn that word you used to end the first of those two sentences 😛 😛 😛
I know nuthink on crashing and burning. Nup. None at all.
Glad you have awesome Boundary Keepers *whispers to Canine Brigade, sit on her legs, make sure she rests properly*. 😀 xo
finding our balance does have to include the word “no”…but, it can be done in a “nice” way…”No thank you… I just can’t make it today!” … “So sorry… it’s just not possible right now!”… with no explanations needed!… Took me a long time …but, can do now with not as much effort!… Great point you made!
I didn’t find this by chance, it’s come when I need it the most. Beautiful and something that people need to realise. I’ve been so disjointed and fractured that I thought that it seemed like it was just me. Thanks Nicole. Peace and love.X
Thank you for a great post. xx
I like what you said about balance and that it isn’t always possible.
This is so true, I find being a healer to be very rewarding but I also become disillusioned some times. As healers we are the ones people come to for love and support which we give happily. I just wish they could also remember us when they want to do something fun like go out to see a band or out for lunch. It’s hard to have balanced friendships when others see your role as strength and support I am lucky to have friends who appreciate me for me but majority remember me only when the wheels fall off xox
Loved this such bloody awesome advice from a bloody awesome blogger
Thank you for this post! Very inspiring!
Very wise advise Thank you Nicole. I have had to withdraw from people lately, I don’t have enough left to deal with their energy. I find that I spend so much time and energy supporting people, that when I get to that point where I can’t go on, I tend to end friendships! Possibly not a good way of dealing with things, I’m not so good at setting boundaries for myself….. and there lies the lesson lol take care of me first . Much love xxxx
Beautifully expressed & so important~