What do you need?
For those who give more than they take
When is the last time you asked for what you need?
As caregivers and nurturers, we spend the majority of our time pouring out of our resource cups to those around us. We often give before it is asked, simply seeing and sensing the needs of those around us. Do you take the same amount of care and attention towards yourself? If no one around you is anticipating on your behalf, do you tune in to yourself and determine what you need? And then do you ask for it?
I recently found myself tuning into what I need (thanks to overwhelming pain for being a powerful teacher), and learning this lesson in abundance.
Some of the things I have needed in the past 4 days:
‘I need to have someone else make dinner.’
‘I need to walk away from work to focus on my medical care.’
‘I need to curl up in a ball on the couch and binge the Olympics.’
It wasn’t comfortable to stop caring for others to focus on myself. It wasn’t easy to cancel appointments. But it was necessary. And I may not have needed to so much if I had tuned in to myself earlier and actually said what I needed when the pain started.
The question is: Can we ask for what we need before we are in the depths of discomfort?
The Practical Hug is for those of you who give more of yourself than you take. It is for those who need a safe place to show up and figure out what you need to feel better. It is meant for those of us who like to help others and need encouragement to receive the same kind of help. This was made for me and it was made for you.
If you need a helping hand figuring out what you need and how to ask for it, join us in the Village. We’re always here for you.
This Week’s Podcast: None, because… well because
Taking a pause on Sharing the Middle this Friday. Lacey is learning to practice what she preaches - tuning into what she needs and actually honoring it. Sometimes that means stepping back from the Friday share to focus on her health and the work that matters most right now. The podcast will be back soon, and in the meantime, we’re grateful you’re here with us in this messy, real middle space.
Create a Joy Ripple
A small way to support joy and spread it at the same time. When you send a Joy Ripple, you can give a shout-out to yourself or someone else on the podcast - because everyone deserves to be celebrated. You also contribute to getting more practical hugs out into the world!
As always, go out there, spread some joy, and we will send another Practical Hug next week.
