When I was younger I focused a lot of my energy outward. I was always helping others and being there for them, it made me happy and still does to this day. What I wasn’t realizing was that I spent all of my energy helping others, that I had no energy left to take care of myself.

I was told many times in my younger years that I needed to focus more inward because my energy was always being focused out and away from me. I understood what was meant by this, but I didn’t feel that I needed to at that time. My happiness depended on other people and I failed to look within to find happiness. It took many years and many burnouts to finally understand the importance of what I was being told. I finally understood the importance of self-reflection and working to better myself and become the best version of me that I could.

I still very much love to take care of other people to this day, but my sole happiness does not depend on it anymore. I used to have to constantly be expending energy on others in order to feel happy and I have learned that in order to help others, I need to focus inward and help myself first! Take time to take care of the person that you see looking back at you in the mirror, so that you can put the best you out there in the world!