Put Your Own Oxygen Mask On First
Written by: Kamini Wood, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I have heard that several times over the past few weeks. “You have to put your oxygen mask on before you can help others”. It makes sense, right? I mean how can you truly help other people if you cannot even breathe?
Intellectually it is very easy to understand the concept. However, when you have trained your mind, and it has become second nature to do for others first, you almost feel selfish if you, dare I say it, take care of yourself first.
Thinking about it…from my perspective, as a mom and wife, this happens a lot even in small daily occurrences.
Meals: I always plate their food before my own
Clothes: I buy their clothes and shoes before I buy for myself
Work: I help them with what they have to work on before completing my own work for the day.
Sleep: They are all tucked in and to bed before I go to sleep.
These are just a few everyday examples. Now multiply that by the ingrained mindset to take care of their needs and wants. Being an overachiever, and also a people pleaser…I find myself adding to my plate, in order to avoid any burden on them. Over and over again. This happens all day, every day. Of course, until the tank is empty.
But it’s not just moms and wives. I see it in women, in men and even in teens. So many of us have this need to please. This need to be perfect. This need to get it all done and then do some more because we do not want to disappoint others. That’s all well and good… IF… big IF here…. You take care of yourself so you have something left to give.
So maybe, just maybe the universe is simply sending a reminder, first self-care. Then help others.
Kamini Wood, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kamini Wood is the founder and CEO of Live Joy Your Way and the AuthenticMe® RiseUp program. An international best-selling author Kamini is driven to support people of all ages to heal their relationship with themselves and to stop outsourcing their self-worth. As a result, her clients become their own confident, resilient self-leader with healthier relationships. Kamini is a certified life coach, board-certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, holds specialty certifications in Calling in the One®, Conscious Uncoupling®, NewMoney Story®, and teen life coaching. Also trained in conscious parenting, Kamini aims to meet her clients where they are, supporting and guiding them on their journey to where they want to be, both personally and professionally. Her mission: create space for each person to see the unique gifts they bring to this world.
