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Is it Better to Give than Receive?
As women, I’d argue we need to work on the latter rather than the former
As women, most of us learn at an early age to give, but we are not nearly as well-schooled in receiving. It can be difficult to create parity in our relationships, and honor both giving and receiving, whether with family, friends, or significant others. Too often we give to the people in our lives at our own expense. When we are working hard to create the life we want, or to get through a difficult time, we need to be protective of ourselves and our process. This is especially true during periods of transition, upheaval, growth, and healing… like RIGHT NOW, for most women. Even good friends and family may not fully appreciate what we are going through, or how we are feeling. Sometimes we don’t keep enough energy in reserve to sustain us, and then wonder why we wake up in the morning tired, cranky, or depressed.
One way to reverse this trend is to recognize and track energy-sappers in your life and reduce them over time. Identify people who drain your energy; then analyze what it is about them, or the interaction that drains you. Be conscious of what you communicate, and how much energy it takes to be in certain situations with certain people. Are they controlling, negative, angry with life, unsupportive, etc.? Do you feel like you are…
