“I’m selfish if I put myself first.”

When your voice says:

“Putting myself first is selfish.”

“If I take care of my needs, someone else gets hurt.”

Coach Lynn says:

Self-care and selfishness are not the same. Protecting a real limit can help you show up more honestly and sustainably.

Then you say:

Here’s what I need to do:

• Take one or more Composure Breaths to settle my body.
• Name what I'm protecting in plain words, such as: "I need tonight to rest" or "I need this hour for my own work."
• Ask: "Does this request really require me to give that up, or is there another way?"
• Choose an answer that cares for both of us, such as: "I can't tonight, but I can help Saturday morning."

Coach Lynn says:

Taking care of yourself isn't selfish. It's how you keep caring for others. When you protect what you need, you show up for the people you love with more energy, patience, and warmth.