Needs, Wants And Woes

Anxiety is a self-inflicted state of mind that can become controlling if not properly addressed.

And one of the principal generators of anxiety is an individual’s need to meet real or perceived expectations.

There will always be people who need things from us whether emotional, physical or material. At the same time there will always be people who want things from us. It’s up to the individual to decide how much of themselves they are prepared to sacrifice to meet the needs and wants of others.

We have a tendency to ignore the truth that the more we give, the more we deplete our emotional reserves. It’s easy to forget that we are responsible for our own happiness; that we have a duty of care first to ourselves and then to others.

Our mental health suffers when we forget to replenish the strength within. The fight to keep the peace around us can result in internal conflict that confuses and damages the person that we are.

The absolute importance of self care should never overlooked. No-one can take better care of the person we are than the person we have become.

Considering the opinions and attitudes of friends, family and others is important because we need to protect our place in society.

But key to maintaining mental health is deciding to prioritise what is best for us.

Only when we are at our best can we be the best for those with needs and wants.