The more you care about yourself, the more you’ll be able to care about others. Caring for people first starts with self.
Picture this: You're on an airplane, cruising through the clouds. The flight attendant begins her safety demonstration, and she gets to the part about oxygen masks. "In case of an emergency," she says, "put your mask on first before assisting others." It seems counterintuitive, doesn't it? Shouldn't you help others first? But think about it: if you're struggling to breathe, how can you possibly help someone else? That's the essence of the quote above. It's about recognizing that to truly care for others, you must first care for yourself.
Imagine yourself as a candle in the darkness. Your flame flickers, casting light and warmth all around you. But if you neglect to protect your flame, if you let the winds of life blow too fiercely, your light dims until it's barely a spark. In that weakened state, you can't offer much to others. But when you nurture your flame, shield it from the gusts, feed it with self-love and care, your light shines brighter than ever. You become a beacon, guiding others out of their darkness.
Think of it like tending to a garden. You can't expect your flowers to bloom if you neglect to water them, if you forget to give them sunlight and nutrients. In the same way, you can't expect to support and uplift others if you neglect to nourish yourself. Just as a garden flourishes under the care of a diligent gardener, your capacity to care for others blossoms when you prioritize your own well-being.
Consider the analogy of a pitcher and cups. You're the pitcher, filled with water. The cups represent the people in your life. If you keep pouring from an empty pitcher, eventually, there's nothing left to give. But when you replenish your pitcher, when you take the time to refill it with self-care and self-love, you can overflow, filling each cup to the brim and still having plenty left to share.
Think about the flight of an airplane again. When the oxygen masks drop down, you secure yours first, ensuring your own safety before assisting others. It's not selfishness; it's survival. By prioritizing your own well-being, you're better equipped to support those around you. You become stronger, more resilient, more capable of offering genuine care and support.
Now, this doesn't mean you should become self-absorbed or neglect the needs of others entirely. It's about finding balance. Just as a scale needs equal weights on both sides to stay steady, your life requires a balance between caring for yourself and caring for others. When one side becomes too heavy, the scale tips, and everything becomes unsteady.
So, how do you strike that balance? How do you prioritize self-care without neglecting your relationships and responsibilities? Take a moment to reflect on what self-care means to you. Is it carving out time for your passions and hobbies? Is it setting boundaries to protect your mental and emotional well-being? Is it practicing self-compassion and forgiveness? Consider how you can integrate these practices into your daily life, not as indulgences but as essential nourishment for your soul. How can you show yourself the same kindness and compassion that you so readily offer to others?
* To gain more inspiration and motivation for your personal growth journey, I recommend visiting my SMART goals page, which offers a wide range of goal ideas to help you establish new aspirations and achieve greater success in life. This list was crucial in the development of my own life goals list, consisting of 100 goals that I pursued for ten years.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
