We have all heard the statement “you have to love yourself first before you love anyone else”.  So how true is this statement?  I believe we can make the argument that you absolutely need to love yourself first because only then do you truly know what love is and how to give it to someone else.  However, couldn’t we also argue that maybe it takes being loved by someone to show us what love is and then we can apply it to ourselves.  So when it comes to love maybe it isn’t about the chicken or the egg but when it comes to giving, is it?

THIS MONTHS QUESTION:   Do we need to Give to ourselves before we Give to others?

We live in a time where we wear different hats and have more responsibilities than ever.  Due to this we tend to put a lot of people and things before ourselves like; the kids,  our spouse, housework, organizations, co-workers, parents, friends, the list can go on and on.  Many may say that giving endlessly to others before yourself is a “part of being self-less”, the “spiritual thing to do”, “what one should do”.  I  believe it can be a generous thing to do and I also believe that there is a time to say no.  Especially now more than ever because we seem to be surrounded by a lot of overwhelmed and anxious people.  Every time I turn around I hear ” I have so much on my plate”,  “I’m so overwhelmed”, “I feel anxious”.  I understand it is good to give, but did we forget that we are also here to receive and to enjoy life?

So how can we stop feeling so overwhelmed?

Well does your car drive better when it is on empty or has a full tank of gas?  The same goes for you.  If you are running on empty because you are saying yes to everyone all day long, at the end of the day you are just burnt out and overwhelmed by having to do it all over again tomorrow.  However, if you made sure each day you carved out some time just for you, like to get a good night sleep,  to work out, to take a bubble bath, to  wake up a little early to have coffee alone.  Whatever it is, when you fill you tank up first you have the energy to get through your day, time to say yes to a few and still feel good and relaxed at the end of your day.

THIS MONTH:  Say No to Others and Yes to yourself!  Now I am not saying ignore your crying baby but I am saying you don’t have to make that extra dessert for your kid’s school party or run the entire work project yourself.   So don’t feel guilty delegating and saying no.  Indulge in some extra QT time with yourself because you deserve it and others will benefit from it as well!

TIP: Keep a planner.  When you write your schedule out you can get a visual of what your day looks like, it keeps you focused and less overwhelmed.

Fill in :

1)  Daily Duties  (school, work, doctor apt.)

2) ME TIME

3) Give Time

THIS MONTH: FILL YOUR TANK FIRST!

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