Today's musings

I had my weekly therapy appointment today, and one of the things I love about my therapist is how comfortable she makes me feel. I've been in and out of therapy for most of my life. I've always loved the idea of therapy. It makes sense to me. But I have never felt 100% safe or comfortable with any of my former therapists. I've always felt judged. But from my first appointment with my current therapist, it was different. And I can truly say that I have learned a lot about myself, have had a number of "a-ha!" moments, and I've grown. Now, don't read that and think I've fooled myself into thinking I've reached my full potential and I'm done - helllll no. Life is a continuous journey, and I have no plans to stop therapy. 

Today, while discussing my most recent "a-ha" moments, my therapist said something that brought me such peace. She said something along the line of "you're reaching that '40' moment. I've encountered so many people who have said 40 was a pivotal moment in their lives. They've realized that the paths they were on were no longer serving them fully, and they began to realize how important filling their own cup was. They started setting boundaries and keeping them." 

And she's right. I've been putting in work, and I've started setting boundaries. Last night, I was drained; not just from a long, busy day, but from also filling others' cups along the way. I felt tired from doing so much for everyone, making everyone feel peaceful, stress-free, happy, and not getting anything back. I'm tired of stretching myself thin and emotionally depleting myself because I know how to care for everyone around me. I'm tired of giving 110% to co-workers, inside and outside of my unit, I'm tired of giving affection, attention, understanding, love, and patience to people who don't bother to find out if *I* need any of that. 

Don't mistake what I'm saying to mean all of these people are maliciously and selfishly just taking from me - it's an unconscious draw, I'm sure. No one in my orbit is a "bad" person... but when their needs aren't met, they come to me because I am able to offer whatever it is they're lacking. Need a boost, I got you. Need to vent, I'm an excellent listener. Feeling weak, I know how to build you back up. Need encouragement, I'm your girl. Physical touch, I give the best hugs or cuddles. I'm there. I'm *always* there. But, who's there for me? Who's there when I have a long, hard day and need someone to listen to me, hold me, encourage me? Who, of these people that i take care of, ever think, "Let me reach out and see how she is." *My* needs are an afterthought, if a thought at all, to people. Does anyone reach out to me unless they have an unmet need... no. 

I'm not saying I'm going to stop being who I am - I'm a nurturer by nature. These people come to me, and it comes so easily to me; *because* I have this gift. But I'm certainly learning that I do need to fill my own cup because no one else will/is. I *am* finding that as 40 draws closer, I'm realizing that putting up some boundaries and saying "no", regardless of the outcome, is healthy for me; and in the long run, will allow me to continue to be there for others.