Writing and Project Support by Susan A. Knight
  • Home
  • Services
  • Content Portfolio
    • More Content
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Kind Words
  • Contact

Your Needs Matter Just as Much as Everyone Else's

11/26/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
It doesn't take much for life to start getting busy, perhaps a little too busy.  You've got things to do, deadlines to meet, and you feel like you're being pulled in different directions as you try to accommodate everyone's wishes.  You're doing so much, and yet the stuff you would really like to be doing winds up falling by the wayside. 
 
This is so common, it's almost more of a surprise to come across someone who isn't stressed and overwhelmed by everything they have going on.  The sad reality is that far too many people find themselves in a place where they're busy catering to everyone else's needs, meanwhile they struggle with recognizing and attending to their own needs.

 
Finding a healthy balance in relationships

Whether you're dealing with family or friends, there will likely be times when you need to stretch yourself a bit to accommodate situations that are less than ideal.  That's completely normal.  You're willing to go the extra mile for the people you care about, even when it's a bit inconvenient, and hopefully they're willing to do the same for you. 
 
The key is finding a healthy balance where you're not ignoring your own needs entirely.  Some questions to ask yourself:

  • Are you dealing with the occasional unexpected or inconvenient request?  Or has this become a routine part of your life that has you feeling pressured on a regular basis?
  • Do you find yourself experiencing momentary, mild irritation when someone needs your attention?  Or has it morphed into deep-seated, lingering anger and resentment?
  • Do you feel like you're being taken advantage of, or that your good nature is being exploited?
  • Are you acting out of good will? Or out of guilt?  Or perhaps even from fear of repercussions if you were to set some boundaries?
 
There's a big difference between a healthy give and take within a relationship vs. a situation that has become uncomfortable or exploitative.  Deep down, we know when something doesn't feel right, or when we're going along with a situation that doesn't leave us feeling good about ourselves.
 

Prioritizing your own needs is essential

Some people are great at taking care of themselves.  And because they keep themselves healthy and strong on every level—physically, mentally, and emotionally—they're well equipped to give to others in a healthy way, too.  They know where to draw the line and how to set boundaries so as not to jeopardize their own well-being or allow themselves to be taken advantage of.  These people understand that prioritizing their own needs isn't selfish; it enables them to better serve others without becoming overwhelmed, resentful, or unbalanced.
 
Prioritizing your own needs is essential for keeping yourself strong and healthy on every level.  You then have a clear and solid point of reference to operate from, so you can make better choices when dealing with the needs of others.  When you're clear on what you need, you can identify when a situation is threatening to violate those needs.

Picture
For instance, let's say you know you need to be in bed by a certain time to wake up feeling well-rested.  However, you have a friend who likes to call late at night.  If you only focus on your friend's needs, you'll be on the phone with her until well past your bedtime, and wake up the next day feeling tired and resentful. 

​Whereas by prioritizing your own needs, you can let your friend know you're committed to being in bed by a certain time, and you'll call her back when it's more convenient to chat.
 
When it comes to attending to our own needs, many of our attitudes are formed in childhood, based on how we were raised and what we observed.  We often bring these attitudes into adulthood without ever examining them.  If you find yourself struggling to accept that your needs matter as much as everyone else's, it's worthwhile examining some of those attitudes that you've been carrying around.  It may be time for you to rethink things, so you can truly function at your very best.


Are you struggling to find the balance with accommodating other people's needs?  Learn how to distinguish between consideration vs. capitulation.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Inspiration and Tips
    to Improve Your Well-Being

    Categories

    All
    Body Health & Care
    Decisions & Problem Solving
    General/Other
    Goals & Motivation
    Healthy Eating
    Inner Wellness
    Relationships

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019

    RSS Feed

Privacy Policy        Disclaimer
Copyright © 2025 skfreelance.com
  • Home
  • Services
  • Content Portfolio
    • More Content
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Kind Words
  • Contact