Filling up your cup when life gets hard

cup with daisy

As we navigate through theses challenging times, I’ve found many of my friends and clients are experiencing empty cups. They are overwhelmed,  have low energy, and are emotionally drained. During times like this, it’s more important than ever that we do what we can to fill up our cups. What does that mean, exactly? It means we need to stop and recharge our batteries—replenish our mental, emotional, and physical energy. 

Think about a car. When your car is out of gas, it stops running. Likewise, when we deplete our energy sources we have little or nothing left to give others. It’s up to you to make sure that your cup doesn’t end up on empty. 

Filling your cup up is self-care 101— it all starts with you. There are many ways to care for yourself and what works for you might not be the same for someone else. Think about what you enjoy doing, what relaxes you, what makes you feel content. Hobbies are a great way to practice self-care. Being out in nature is something many find to be psychologically soothing and it’s also good for your physical health. Walking my dog at the beach is one of the ways I practice self-care. I decided to create a list of all the things that fill me up and give me energy so I can reference it when I need it. Below is my list; use it for inspiration or a starting point for your own list. 

  • Gardening and getting my hands in the dirt 
  • Calling a dear friend
  • Walking on the beach with my sweetheart
  • Drawing or painting
  • Walking my dog 
  • Doing yoga
  • Watching a Super Soul Sunday with Oprah
  • Meditating 
  • Cooking a nice meal
  • Reading for pleasure
  • Go hiking in nature
  • Taking a nap

Your list may look completely different, but the goal is the same: to keep your cup full.  Remember—whatever you need to give to others, you must first give to yourself. Be sure you’re checking in with yourself, because this will alert you to when your cup is getting low. Grab a fun-colored pen and some stationary paper and give yourself some time to create a list of all the wonderful things that can fill you up and give you energy. Hang it with your vision board, post it on the refrigerator, or frame it and place it on your desk.  Self-care isn’t being selfish; it’s a public service. When you fill your own cup up, you’ve got more to give to others.