words of wisdom #2

Hey, y'all. After taking a much-needed hiatus from content creation — and putting my energy toward academics — I'm back!

I want to share something I've learned the past three months. I think Eleanor Brownn (a public speaker and educator) puts it in very clear terms... I couldn't have said it better myself.

“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”

— Eleanor Brownn

Self-care might seem like a waste of time when you're doing "fine." But we're not designed to 'Go, go, go' all the time. Rest is crucial to our survival. Self-care is crucial to creating healthy habits. Both are crucial when we consider helping others, maintaining relationships, and living a balanced lifestyle.

Growing up, my mom always lovingly told me, "You have to put on your own oxygen mask before you can help someone else, otherwise you'll run out of oxygen. Then you can't help them at all." And I would roll my eyes at her analogy.

But — SPOILER ALERT! — she was right.

You cannot pour from an empty cup, or as Brownn sayss, "[y]ou cannot serve from an empty vessel."

so what does all this mean?

If we want to reach our career goals, academic goals, or our visions of success... we prioritize ourselves. We put our action plan first and we let nothing get in our way. We do everything in our power to achieve those goals. Right?

Make rest one of your goals.

Make self-care one of your goals.

Prioritize wellness, don't push it to the backburner. Choose wisely what — and whom — you give your energy to. Being spread too thin doesn't lend to the goal of rest.

Of course, this is all easier said than done; I'm still learning how to put this into action. But as someone who aspires to work in a 'helping profession' someday, I firmly believe in this philosophy. How can I effectively counsel others if I'm not caring for myself properly?

If you work in customer service, healthcare, education, business, event management, or any other career that involves human interaction, rest is necessary... not just for your wellbeing, but for the sake of serving others effectively!

I think college-aged people tend to forget this. After all, we've all got lots of commitments to juggle. We "don't have time" to rest. College is all-nighters studying, football games, and more club meetings than you can count on one hand.

But it's ok to slow down every once in a while.

It's an investment in yourself. It will be so worth it in the long run.

so, promise me you'll give yourself a little grace?

We all need a break from time to time... I know I do.

And that's ok.

until next time,

- CAR ♥

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