On the Importance of Self Care

It is important that we take care of ourselves; after all you cannot pour from an empty pitcher.

Sometimes when taking care of ourselves we need to recognize our personal limits and say no to things or start cutting back on some of the things that we do.

I’ve recently had to make such a change; thus why I’ve decided to stop the Dudes Craft, Too series for a while (I’m hoping to continue with it next year) and it’s also why I’ve not been as active on some of my design teams recently and why I’ve had to make the incredibly difficult decision not to stay on with one of them after my term comes to an end.

It can be difficult saying no or cutting back. It’s hard to think that people may be disappointed in us or that we might be letting them down or putting them in a difficult position.

We need to remember that if we do not take care of ourselves we will have nothing to give to others.

It’s easier said than done, I know.

Remember that you are the only you there is and that that makes you pretty darned special.

It’s okay to say no, it’s okay to make yourself a priority, and just as it’s okay for others to dislike this it is also okay for you to realize that the thoughts and feelings of other people are not your responsibility.

I feel that creative people sometimes take on too much; in general (though there are always, always, always exceptions) we are very kind people and we have a hard time saying no.

You don’t need to say yes to making your Aunt Agnes 77 birthday cards to hand out at the senior center free of charge when she asks, you don’t need to say yes to finishing a custom order in a weekend, and you don’t need to create a tutorial for an elaborate design you came up with just because someone asks you to.

You have the right to say no. You have the right and the responsibility to take care of yourself.

Until next time,

Tennessee, Texas, that’s a Lexus,

Samantha