So here I am again, talking about self-care. I know it can be difficult to incorporate this into our daily lives. Many of us are accustomed to taking care of the needs of others while not prioritizing our own. As a result, we often feel overwhelmed and experience burnout.
However, while it is easier said than done, it is important to be able to communicate these needs and to establish boundaries with others. But, sometimes, we do not even realize what exactly we should communicate. I find this to be common among many of my clients, and I can relate to it as well. What I like to recommend is to plot out your daily or weekly schedule, incorporating all of your responsibilities, hobbies, and so forth. If it helps, you can make a list of these things beforehand. From there, you can determine if you are taking on too much and consider which things to cut back on.
Once you have determined what your boundaries are, and what you need for yourself, it is important to be able to communicate these with those around you. As we are aware, many have trouble with feeling comfortable communicating such things, due to the reactions of others. However, it is important to keep in mind that you need to also prioritize yourself (if for no other reason, taking time for yourself allows you the opportunity to decompress so that you can help others). When communicating these to others, it will be beneficial to practice assertive, respectful communication. Be prepared for a little bit of pushback, as expressing these boundaries could be a notable shift in the dynamics between you and others. If this is the case, they most likely need a bit of time to process this, and that is okay.
While we advocate for others, it is essential that we also advocate for ourselves.