This is not a call to be careless or to be preoccupied with yourself. This is not a call to be full of yourself. I would argue that many of us are far less than full of ourselves. I urge you to fill your self up MORE.

We all have mothers. Many of them are naturally giving—often to a fault. In this day, mothers often find themselves parenting, working, and socializing at the same time, with less support from our communities when compared to traditional times when it literally took a village to raise a child.

Whether you are a parent, an artist, an athlete, or a giver of any kind—many of us can give too much. Maybe we give as part of our nature, maybe we focus on the needs of others as a way to distract from our own needs and desires.We burn ourselves out. We empty ourselves.

Now is the time to become self-centered. Focus on what makes you happy. Focus on what you want. Be that strongest link that holds your family, your workplace, and your community together for the long haul. Here are nine things to assist in filling yourself up:

  1. Ask clearly for what you want

  2. Do something you love

  3. If you don’t know what you love, start making a list or talk to anyone to find out what it is you love

  4. Learn to say “No.”

  5. Give yourself space and time

  6. Take yourself out on a date

  7. Be as kind to yourself as you wish others would be

  8. Spend time outside, in nature

  9. Eat well and exercise

Remember, there’s nothing wrong with taking good care of yourself. Because if you don’t, it will be much more difficult to do anything for anyone else.


Jason Moskovitz, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M. is a board-licensed acupuncturist, national diplomat of oriental medicine, herbal physician, nutritional counselor, and Tai Chi instructor at Tao Of Wellness. Jason has administered thousands of successful treatments in areas of women’s health, infertility, elder care, and joint pain. At his practice Jason offers his patients friendship, teaching them acceptance of their ever-changing condition, allowing the body to heal itself and the outlook to widen. Connect with Tao Of Wellness on Facebook and Twitter.