Dr. Wayne Pernell uses his mother's habit of running on fumes to argue that generosity requires boundaries. You cannot give what you don't have, so recharging yourself isn't selfish, it's necessary.
Chapters
Now, the point I want to make here is just because you know that doesn't mean that you have to act on it. My mom was selfless to the point of wearing herself out. And I don't think that that's needed because at some point you have to step back and say, I can't give what I don't have. And that's the truth. You cannot give what you don't have. If you are running on fumes, there's nothing left to give. Well, my mom ran on fumes a lot during the day and then would just, like, take herself out at night and just be, you know, have her own quiet time. But that was difficult, too, right? She was. She was somebody who would give and give and give and give. And I think that that's an important thing, is to recognize you can give and have empathy and be kind and think about what other people need and still take time for yourself and take time to grow.