I tend to be an over-giver.
If someone I love needs something, I’ll do what I can to help (even if I’m not in a place to do so.)
I’m not a “yes man.” I can easily say no to things that don’t align with my core values. And I also have a visceral feeling of time, and how precious every second is, so I try to say yes to only important things and no to everything else.
But if a friend needs someone to talk to, I’m there. If someone I love needs my help, I’ll do what I can—and then some.
It’s the and then some that sometimes comes back to bite me. Because If I give too much and forget to give to myself, I’ll start to prune up (so to speak.)
If you’re like me, it’s easy to forget your needs and instead focus on the needs of others. And it’s always easy to pour your energy into things that don’t fulfill you.
It’s not necessarily the giving that’s the problem, but the lack of receiving. Giving can be just as energizing as receiving. But if you aren’t giving yourself the time and space you need to refuel, then
Whether you’re giving energy to others or giving it to unrewarding things, sooner or later, too much and you’ll soon burn out.
Give time for what *you* need.
We all need rest, clean food, movement, solitude, fun, and nourishing community.
Without it, we turn into pale imitations of who we want to be.
It’s hard to give when you’ve got nothing left.
Do what you need to do to thrive so that you can help others at a whole new level of strength and enthusiasm.
STAY BOLD, Keep Pursuing,
— Josh Waggoner | Daily Blog #1144
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