Caroline Cavanagh argues that being selfish is necessary to avoid burnout. She uses the glass metaphor: your cup must stay full so you can give to others without depletion. Long walks, exercise, baths, reading—find what replenishes you and do it regularly, or you'll become less effective as a therapist, parent, and friend.
Chapters
Today's tip is one that people often find the hardest. So warning alert, you may not like this. I want you to be selfish. Yeah, you heard it right. I believe we've misconstrued this word selfish to be something negative, but the original meaning behind the word is to put yourself first so that by being the best version of self, You can be the best version of you for everyone else too. It's not about other people losing out. So to be selfish today, I'd like you to think about what are the things that you do that fill you up. Think about that metaphor of glass half empty, glass half full. If you keep your glass full of energy, You can afford to give energy to other people and still have plenty for yourself. However, if you keep giving of your energy, not only do you become depleted, there's then no energy for you to give to someone else. Everyone loses. So what can you do today that will boost your energy? For me, I love going for long walks with my dogs in the countryside. And it's working out as well. It doesn't have to be anything passive. If it's something that by doing you feel better, that's a big tick in the box. So it may be a long lie in a bath with some smelly candles, or sitting and reading a book. We're all different, so know what works for you and do more of it. Be selfish to top your own energy levels up to reduce your own stress because that's going to help you to be better at being a therapist, a mum, a daughter, a friend, and whichever hats you wear. It's not selfish to be selfish. In fact, it's selfish not to. Get your head around that one.
