SLOWING DOWN

I can take my time and attend to one thing at a time.  When circumstances or people push me to hurry up or attend to more than I am comfortable handling in the moment, I have a right to speak up and set a boundary.  I can take care of myself and ask for what I need, whether it is more time, patience, understanding, or help. 

I recognize there are many reasons I choose not to take care of myself.  Sometimes it’s about people pleasing and not wanting to disappoint others.  So, I overcommit to more than I can handle.  Other times, it’s about taking care of another’s responsibility and rescuing rather than empowering them to do their own work or allowing them to face the consequences of their own choices.  Occasionally, it’s about my own fear of failure and so I over-compensate to be ‘better than’ in an effort to avoid being seen as ‘less than’.  As I fail to know my own limits, others can come to expect from me more than I am able to deliver.  Then I find myself in the familiar territory of overwhelm, panic, disappointment and stress.

Whatever the reason for not caring for myself, today I choose to accept my needs, set clear boundaries, and show myself and others respect.  I will address one thing at a time acknowledging that I although I am limited, I am enough.