We talk a lot about reaching out for help (yes, important) but a little less about learning that you can take care of yourself, which really has been the big one for me. There’s such a shift between what I thought it meant to take care of myself vs what it actually means.

I used to think taking care of myself meant denying I had any needs and I framed this as independence. Also a sort of PR effort—I take care of myself so well that I can also take care of all your stuff too!!! I’m fine!!!

Now I’m in a place where I listen to my needs and know I can ask for help but actually I’m capable of helping myself ~because~ I take my needs seriously and think I deserve looking after. Often what I actually want when I reach out now is companionship/solidarity.