Depending on where you live and what you're focused on, 2025 may be feeling like it's coming at you hard and fast. I'm from Southern California and our company is based here. That may tell you a little bit about what has been running through my mind this past week due to all the fires ravaging homes and businesses. Luckily, myself, my family, friends and colleagues from the area are safe, though some have lost their homes, which is no small thing.
I started the year with posting an article where I had the honor to interview two self-care professionals. Cassandra Juniphant, founder of Ori Ara, a self-care company that provides traditional wellness for the modern woman, began her career as a successful senior HR executive. And Erica Lewis is the head of Learning & Development and Talent Acquisition for Community Medical Services, behavior health company dedicated exclusively to the Opioid epidemic and help individuals move through recovery.
We discussed the importance and struggle of self-care when it comes the workplace. I was hit hard by Cassandra's comment that, "if a leader can't take care of themselves, then how can you trust them to take care of others?" Ooooph. That was a gut punch to a struggling, sometimes recovering people pleaser, who definitely has been accused of overworking and not taking time to pour into myself. Yet, I have always considered myself a strong, albeit not perfect, leader. But this put me at a pause. Checkout the full article for their tips and insights here.
Now with this year starting to go into full swing and the world, media and smoke outside my window hitting me with so many things to be sad, scared or angry about, I'm faced with the question, "How do you pour into yourself when so many need help right now? Is it even appropriate to do that?"
Well, I got my answer on Saturday. I went to donate and help at a local center that was pulling off miracles in bringing the community together to help those directly impacted by the fires. What I realized one hour into lifting and moving boxes and bags of generous donations was that I am no good to anybody when I haven't cared for myself.
To say I was hit hard by how poor shape I was and how easily exhausted I became. That day, I hadn't eaten or drank anything because I was so eager to be helpful. But that meant I had little energy and the smoky air was doubly difficult for me to be in. I hadn't been sticking to a investing in my health on a daily basis so my strength and stamina were nowhere near what they've been when I was on a consistent workout regimen. If I don't tend to my health, I can't tend to others for more than a short period of time.
I even noticed my capacity for joy was depleted. There were so many volunteers greeting people with warmth and positive energy, even in the chaos of a pop up donation center. I had to keep my irritation at people bumping into me or getting in the way while I carried things beyond my actual strength levels in check. So the amount of stress, doom scrolling and worry I'd done the past week didn't exactly help anyone, including me. Do I want to spread my misery or my joy? I want to spread joy, but that means I need to nurture my joy everyday.
I was greatly humbled and reminded that putting that oxygen mask on yourself and pouring into yourself is possibly the most generous thing you can do for others. It means that you will have that much more to give when the time comes. I double dog dare you to prioritize your self-care this month. Let's see how much more we can bring to our lives, careers, jobs and community when we do.
I am excited to be on this journey of learning and compassion with this On Purpose community. Thank you for sharing and developing your genius with me.
Heather :-)
