In life we have seen many people want to help others. Their helping nature makes us believe in humanity. These people are genuinely have heart of golds but helping others by cost of your mental peace I think is not a wise thing. You can give others what you have plenty but if you are struggling for survival then how can you help people. There is a phrase which describe this situation very interestingly as remember to take care of yourself first because you can not pour from an empty cup.
This phrase has a very powerful meaning and it says that self care is not selfish at all. It is essential. You must have to give priority to your well-being before supporting others effectively. You should achieve your goals and live a fulfilling life before helping others to achieve their goals. Just like a cup that needs to be filled before it can pour into another. You should be mentally, emotionally and physically well so that you can give your best to the world. A strong man can help others more effectively than a man who is struggling in his own life.
In this modern world many people have a lot of pressure. They have to do more to meet the expectations and at the same time they have to help others. In this fast moving world no body is fully satisfied and living stress free. In this time helping others at the expenses of your own health and happiness is very danger for yourself. It is very easy to forget your own needs for showing up your family, managing a demanding job or being there for friends. But neglecting yourself for too long can leads to burnout, stress and even resentment. After a time you may expect the same in return but if you do not get what you have given then you will feel
like neglected and even your life become regretful.
Taking care of yourself first does not mean to ignore the people and be a rude person towards your surrounding people. It means to create a strong foundation so that you can be there for them fully and emotionally available. You must have heard the safety instructions in airplane which says to put on your own oxygen mast before helping others If you are running yourself empty how can you have the capacity to be the friend, partner or the leader you want to be. You are running out of your energy then how can you energize anybody. Just think about it. Be strong enough and have plenty so that you can help others as much they want fully.
Self care has different definition for different people. It can be getting enough sleep, taking care of health by doing exercise regularly or eating well or even setting healthy boundaries for your mental well being. Sometimes self-care means to say No to unnecessary things. Sometimes self-care means to take time for yourself and connect to your purpose or passion in life. Self care does not mean just bubble bath and spa days but it’s about meeting your deeper needs so that you can thrive in life.
Taking care of yourself includes a healthy behavior towards others. When you achieve your mental peace and filled yourself with happiness and gratitude your behavior towards others will definitely be changed. When people see you setting boundaries and giving priority to your mental health , it inspires them to be like you. You become an example of strength through balance, not just hustle.
Emotionally, when your cup is full, you become more patient and more compassionate towards others. You will be more stable at any situation and can handle all stress in a very confident manner. You will handle the situation much more gracefully so that other people will be affected a little and you will become a leader. On the other hand, when you are depleted, even small challenges can shake your confidence. You will be more stressful and can not able to handle the situation gracefully. Your relationships may suffer a lot due to this overwhelming.
You should be aware that this phrase does not say to choose yourself over others. rather it says about choosing yourself so that you can truly stand for others in a meaningful and sustainable way. So refill your cup because you matter the most. When you are full, your light will shine bright for everyone around you.
