The Most Courageous Self-Care Act: Learning to Say, “I Need Help”

We all know when we’re feeling overwhelmed, but learning to press the pause button starts with being vulnerable enough to claim your healing time.

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Are you the type of person who’s too busy driving from place to place to stop and fill that gas tank with the beaming low fuel light? Too busy rushing about to take a moment? Too guilty to take a pause even though it’s clear you need one? Perhaps, you don’t feel empowered enough to demand a break? Or, maybe you’re just so caught up in your day it’s easier to ignore all the signs telling you it’s time to pause, breathe, and assess the situation.

Being able to identify the need for a “personal moment” is critical. However, the reality is most of us are already pretty good at this part of the equation. Where we tend to fall short is acting on our own recognition. It’s not enough just to notice that low fuel light inside your head. You have to do what it’s telling you – pull over, put it in park, and refuel. This isn’t always easy and, in fact, often requires a good bit of personal courage.

Taking a moment means intentionally shifting behavior, and, in today’s “busy or bust” world this can have consequences. For instance, we might resist due to fear of judgment…