Comparative Suffering and Self Care

Comparative Suffering and Self Care

I recently listened to one of Brene Brown's unlocking us podcasts.  She was talking about comparative suffering.  She was saying that when we comp[are traumas and suffering and play the "other people have it worse" game that we are operating from a misguided belief that empathy is finite.  We believe there is only so much compassion to go around so we dole it out very carefully....

That being said, we do this to ourselves as well.  When we don't practice self compassion because we belittle our pain, we think we are unworthy of self care.  What results is not a better version of ourselves.  The result is ultimately someone that is wrung out and exhausted.  

Years ago my therapist told me that self care isn't what you do when you need it.  You have to do it before you need it.  It is similar to not waiting for your body to give out before you start working out and eating healthy.