Forgetting Yourself

Are you guilty of neglecting your own advice? Are you everyone's biggest cheerleader, but forget to cheer for yourself?

I had a conversation with a coworker and friend recently. I admitted I was struggling. Struggling in my role, the role I've held for over 25 years. My role as a nurse. Something I had loved since Day 1.

What has changed over the last 25 years? The short answer is a lot. I could get into specifics, but I won't. That's a conversation for another time. Ultimately the only real answer is me. I have changed since becoming a healthcare provider. I have different views since joining the healthcare community almost 30 years ago, first as an aide, then as an LPN and now as an RN. I have more education, more knowledge, I've matured. With all that comes changes. New outlooks, new thought processes.

Don't get me wrong. I love being a nurse. I have worked very hard to accomplish all that I have. Helping, supporting, guiding and caring for people is what I want to do, starting at Day 1. Except now my approach has shifted. By doing work over the years on myself has prompted me to shift how I care for others. I guess you could say I'm looking for more and maybe I have lost myself a bit in the process.

Time evolves, life changes. So what would I say to someone who was feeling the same way? DO IT! Amazing is what lives on the other side of fear! You will never know if you don't make the jump. Make the move. Make the shift. Yes, it will probably be messy, may feel awkward and you may feel like you're making a mistake. All those emotions are natural. But what if it all works out? You will never know unless you make the leap!

My advice to you is don't forget about yourself. Don't forget to show up for yourself. Do what lights you up. Look yourself in the mirror and speak kind to yourself. Build yourself up and remember amazing really does live on the other side of fear, but most of all, don't lose sight of yourself!