Hell yeah! I had to learn this the hard way. I had to hit rock bottom a couple of times mentally and emotionally damn near burning myself out completely doing what's best for everybody else. Each time I hit rock bottom with the reality that I was rewarding myself with depression. I was depressed because I held so much inside while being concerned with doing what's best for others. When I say others I mean the people that were closest to me. Out of concern for their feelings, their needs, their wants, and desires. I sacrificed. Now, of course, as a mother, I did my share of sacrificing to be sure my young children were provided for. There are no regrets there. Their well-being mattered most. It's when you begin to factor in others like your significant other, your friends, your other family members, your boss... It can become extremely overwhelming! At some point, I began to wonder when was I going to be happy? When was I going to do the things that I wanted to do? When was I going to allow my now-grown kids to be responsible for their own lives? When was I going to change careers? When was I going to move on from my dysfunctional relationship? I know I am not the only one in this relationship knowing it is dysfunctional! But oh... we don't communicate so... When was I going to allow myself to really take a look at myself and say... Genny It's your turn?
When you are sacrificing so much of yourself that you began to no longer recognize yourself when you do smile. You need to take a deeper look at why you are a stranger to the common emotion of happiness. Why are you okay with being stressed? Why is it okay to not communicate your feelings with your significant other? Why do you keep going to this deadbeat job? Why is everyone's happiness more important than your own? Why are you admiring the lives of others on social media or television? Why won't you get up, dress up, and show up for yourself?
There is this thing call self-care and I do not mean soap & water either? I mean taking care of your heart, soul, body, and mind. I mean trying new and exciting things. I mean like doing something unpredictable and outside of the norm. I mean like getting your nails and feet done. I mean like taking a moment of time for yourself, I mean like going out one night a week for a drink with the girls or having a girls' night at your house. I mean take some dance classes, buying a new purse or perfume or ruby red lipstick! Download a good book and disappear in that book for a couple of hours, Whip out your favorite playlist and grab a glass of wine, and unwind, I mean like call up a dear old friend and catch up about the old times, I mean like plan a trip solo if need be! I did that once and it was the best thing ever! Try a new recipe set it up like you are doing your very own live cooking show, take yourself out on a date! learn to love yourself again. Make a big deal of it. Where all white when you always wear black! That-uh show 'em! Get rid of the deadbeat relationship and live your best life until your best life welcomes someone who appreciates the new amazing new you! Or-Find a lifestyle motivator like myself, who's gonna tell you that it is okay to be a little selfish. It's okay!
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