Caring for the Caregiver: You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup
There are so many women who spend their lives taking care of everyone else.
Children. Partners. Aging parents. Clients. Patients. Coworkers. Friends.
Sometimes caregiving is literally our job. Other times, it’s simply the role we’ve fallen into because we’re the person everyone knows they can count on.
We notice what needs to be done.
We remember the appointments.
We check on everyone.
We hold things together.
And somewhere in the middle of all that caring, it can become incredibly easy to forget that we have a body that needs care, too.
When Was the Last Time Someone Took Care of You?
I think this is one of the reasons I love massage so much.
For an hour or 90 minutes, the roles get reversed.
You aren't responsible for anyone else.
You don't have to make a decision. You don't have to solve a problem. You don't have to remember what needs to happen next.
You get to lie down.
You get to receive.
And someone else takes care of you.
That may sound simple, but when you're accustomed to constantly giving, receiving can feel surprisingly powerful.
Filling Your Cup Isn’t Selfish
We've all heard the phrase:
“You can't pour from an empty cup.”
But I think many women still wait until the cup is completely empty before giving themselves permission to stop.
We wait until our shoulders hurt.
Until we're exhausted.
Until we're irritable.
Until we can't sleep.
Until our body is practically begging us to pay attention.
Self-care doesn't have to begin when you've reached your breaking point.
It can simply be part of the way you care for yourself while you're caring for everyone else.
Massage Can Be Part of Regular Care, Not Just an Emergency
I love when massage becomes something my clients don't have to “earn.”
You don't have to wait until you're in terrible pain.
You don't need a special occasion.
And you certainly don't need to justify needing rest.
Regular massage can give you intentional time to slow down, release physical tension, breathe, and reconnect with your body.
Some sessions may involve more focused therapeutic work. Other days your body may be asking for warmth, slower massage, hot stones, aromatherapy, sound, quiet, or simply a place to soften.
That's why I don't believe every massage should look exactly the same.
We start with where you are that day.
Sometimes You Need to Be the One Receiving
If you spend much of your life caring for other people, I want you to remember something:
You belong on the list of people you take care of.
Not at the very bottom.
Not someday when everything else gets done.
You, too.
My massage and bodywork studio in Los Osos is a place where you can put everything down for a little while.
Come as you are.
Let yourself receive.
Fill your cup.
And when you're ready to come back, I'll be here.
Lindy 💙
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