“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Just you watch me. I am the Queen of the Empty Cups, your Royal Highness Ashley

Guilt appears throughout my day leaving me feeling overwhelmed and tired. Guilty for not working enough hours in the day before kid pick up arrives. Guilty for not wanting to play with my child at the end of the work day and wanting to rest. Guilty for eating this or that or not eating this or that. Guilty for purchasing something I wanted and not something that was for the kids or my husband. Guilty for not speaking up, guilty for speaking up. Guilty for not exercising, guilty for wanting more sleep. Guilty for wanting a career, to climb a ladder; guilty for going in on the weekends and taking a phone call after hours.

It’s almost a bad Dr. Suess story- will you be guilty in a box? Will you be guilty with a fox in a box? Guilty, I am.

When you are sick, the guilt feels even thicker. Guilty but now with a time frame. If x = time on earth and y= time spent, then z= is what you have to do despite feeling tired and wanting to free your mind of all its clutter of the day.

When and why did these feelings of guilt appear? When are we enough for ourselves? Why do we feel as if we have to carry the weight of everyone else on our shoulders?

I think the first step is to admit that we feel guilty and to remind ourselves that it’s okay to take care of ourselves. Remind ourselves that we shouldn’t feel guilty. One tiny step at a time. Saying “no” is okay; it doesn’t make you a bad mom, employee, etc.

Resting is a good idea to avoid being too run down and worse, sick. Acknowledging that you have no clue as to when your time will be and living your life is important.

As a type this blog, I am not saying this will be easy. Trust me. I am the worst at pouring from an empty cup until the proverbial cup shatters. I guess what I am saying is to give yourself grace, one moment at a time. With the holiday season here, remind yourself “I am enough.”

Put on some music, your favorite sweats, dance, laugh- love her too. Love her too.