Choosing me
Put your oxygen mask on first.
If you’ve even been on an airplane, you’re familiar with the phrase, “put your oxygen mask on first before helping others.” I’ve heard it countless times, and yet, as I think about how I move through my day to day life, I’m always making sure everyone else has their mask on, but I often forget to put mine on first. If I pause for just a moment and sit with this reality, it’s no wonder I am so out of breath I can hardly breathe some days.
Here’s the honest truth, you are the ONLY one responsible for putting the oxygen mask on YOU first! Now, don’t get me wrong, this is a lot easier said than done. The small humans at home, the adult humans at work, the friends, your family, and any other amazing human who relies on you in one way or another. All these people…but what good are you to them, when you are gasping for air and can’t breathe?
So, I’m not going to tell you to practice self-care. Let me be clear about how I feel about this new trend…I have the same 24-hours in a day that you do and if I have to make time for one more thing…well, like I said, I’m not going to tell you to practice self-care.
I am going to tell you to be selfish, to say no, to set boundaries and to finally put on your oxygen mask first! The dishes can wait if you want to finish that chapter of your book. The friends who love you will still love you even if you’re not going to be able to meet for coffee because you want to sleep in on the only Saturday you have with nothing on the calendar. The emails, oh the emails…it’s ok to get to them when you get to them. If it is an emergency, you’ll know, but especially in an emergency situation, PUT YOUR DAMN OXYGEN MASK ON FIRST.
We are all running around doing our best to manage all the things, but at what cost? Take a moment and make a list of all the things that fill your cup and allow you to be your best self. These are the things to prioritize because this is how you put your oxygen mask on first. The other responsibilities will still be there but won’t it be easier to take care of them when you can actually breathe?
