Are You Too Busy Rescuing Others to Rescue Yourself?

Last week, a client (let's call her Sarah) came to me utterly exhausted. "I just can't say no," she sighed. "Everyone comes to me with their problems, and I always help. But lately, I feel empty inside." As she spoke, I recognized the familiar pattern of the constant caregiver – someone so focused on healing others that their own needs go unmet.

Does this sound familiar? When was the last time you put yourself first without feeling guilty about it?

The Hidden Truth About Helping Others

• Sometimes our drive to help others masks our own need for healing
• We give to others the love and attention we desperately need ourselves
• Crisis mode becomes our comfort zone, keeping us from inner peace

Signs You Might Be the Constant Rescuer:

• Feeling burned out but still saying "yes"
• Carrying hidden resentment while maintaining a helpful facade
• Struggling to admit your own needs
• Finding it hard to be vulnerable
• Living in permanent crisis mode

The Path Forward When we heal ourselves, we become even better at helping others. It's like the airplane oxygen mask principle – we must secure our own before helping others. But here's the thing: it's completely normal to need support while breaking these old patterns. Our own blindspots can be tricky to spot – they're called blindspots for a reason!

Try using the awareness points above to notice your own patterns. And remember, if you find yourself struggling to break free from the constant rescuer role, reaching out for support isn't just okay – it's a powerful act of self-care. I'm here when you're ready to talk.

Warmly, Jill

P.S. This post was inspired by Daily Om's insightful article "Rescuing the Rescuer." Their wisdom reminds us that our greatest gift to others might be learning to care for ourselves. Photo by stevosdisposable on Unsplash