No human is capable of only giving and never receiving. Yet, you may have been socialized to believe that you should put everyone’s needs before your own, take responsibility for the wellbeing or happiness of others, and only allow yourself rest when you have sufficiently taken care of everybody else’s needs (which let’s be real, never happens because it is impossible).
Perhaps you chose a profession where you give your time, energy, or gifts to help others or to make the world a better place. You may be involved in activism work. Perhaps you are raising children or are responsible for taking care of a sick or elderly loved one. Maybe you are the person who everybody calls when they need something, yet no one can see when you could use some help?
You may be experiencing:
- Difficulty with boundaries or saying no
- Symptoms of vicarious trauma and burnout
- Difficulty identifying, attending to, and prioritizing your own needs
- Lack of support
- Feeling like you’re only worthwhile when serving others
Therapy can help you shift into more reciprocal and supportive relationships, develop a clear differentiation between self and others, and empower you to set the boundaries you need to continue making a difference in the world while feeling resourced and whole.
You and the world will benefit when sharing your gifts is a choice that emerges from a place of feeling resourced and living aligned with your values.
Learn about upcoming support groups.