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Writer's pictureShana Auguste

Prioritizing Mental Health: Honoring My Souls Need for Self-Care

Updated: Jul 29, 2023



Who is my 1st duty to on this earth? Spirit tells me I was given a purpose and mission to complete while I'm renting this flesh suit. I intend to honor my purpose, but in the midst of it all isn't my 1st duty to myself? How can I complete this grand ole mission I've been assigned by the Creator, if I don't take care of myself 1st?


Do you also ponder this thought? Are you struggling to put yourself 1st because of what you've been taught and the guilt that follows from going against those teachings? We were not taught in childhood that it is ok to give ourselves permission. I just discovered the power of giving myself permission a couple of years ago. I started with giving myself permission to take space from people. I was so accustomed to being at everyone else's beck and call that I was left with scraps of my own time.


By the time I did get to myself it was rushed and undesirable. I just wanted to get whatever I was doing for myself over and done. On the other hand, I was giving, caring, and attentive to the needs of everyone around me. That's a good thing right??? No, wrong! I was doing so many things for other's out of a feeling of obligation, which morphed itself into a moody attitude, and then to low key resentment. I didn't know how to honor my "no", so I said yes to things I didn't want to do.


Over and over again this cycle continued until I was burnt-out, resentful, and halfway loosing my mind (ok maybe a little more than halfway). Either way, I was resentful of others for continually asking me to do things I didn't have the power to say no to; and I was resentful of myself for not standing up for myself to protect my energy. As caring and attentive as I was seeming to be, I could have given more from a much healthier place if only I had cared for myself 1st.


When I decided to give myself permission, I made the choice to honor my no's and fill my own cup 1st. This allowed my to give from my overflow rather than given from a nearly empty cup. My whole perspective shifted on what being there for other's truly meant to me and there began my road to recovery from people pleasing.


I have turned my mental health from depressive borderline suicidal to peaceful balance & managing my wellness. Of course nothing is overnight and it took me about 3 years to develop a full system that has been successful for me, but I took the time. You can do it to, in fact you owe it to yourself. You are your 1st duty and obligation.


You are not the labels put on you by the world. You are who you want to be, so If you choose to adopt the titles given to you, then you will play that role. If you choose to tap into self, listen to your inner knowing and design your life based on your needs; fulfillment awaits you. You will be doing your mental health a great service, your body will thank you in its performance, and your soul will radiate joy!





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