People make sacrifices all the time for those they love, but when is a sacrifice too great to expect. I thought about this recently as I considered a request that would suck the life out of me. While I would love to provide the care and support requested, I don't want to lose the relationships and health that sacrifice would cost me. In this case, I'm choosing myself, and while that feels somewhat selfish, it feels like the right thing to do.
People are always making tough choices between their own needs and the needs of others. This is particularly true for anyone that engages in the limitless roles of parenting, teaching, and human services of any kind. There's always more we can do for each other, yet if we don't take care of ourselves, we'll be no good for anyone.
How do we strike the balance of self care and care for others? What can we do?
This is a regular point of reflection for caregivers of any kind, a point of reflection when done well leads us to that right balance. Onward.