WE'VE MOVED - FIND US OVER AT THE PERMISSION TO... PODCAST

Episode 19 - Are you a vase or a cup?


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Happy Tuesday, you strong moms! Today I’m debunking the phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup” and “fill your cup first”. I never knew why it bugged me but when I watched the Rachel Hollis documentary of her RISE conference - she put it perfectly. Pardon me while I butcher trying to explain this…

We hear over and over that you can’t pour from an empty cup, do self care, fill your cup first… which always implies that you then have to give of your full cup to others. Then fill it again.

That sounds exhausting - empty, fill, empty, fill, empty, fill.

The way Rachel put it was to visualize a vase. Now visualize doing ALL the things that fill your vase - that could be time with your kids, a massage, doing some work you love, a nap. As you do these things your vase begins to fill. If you KEEP filling it day in and day out - it begins to overflow.

To OVERFLOW.

Isn’t that cool? YOU fill YOUR vase and it overflows… but where does it overflow to?

Your kids. Your spouse. Your friends. Your coworkers. Strangers.

If you fill your vase SO damn full that you have so much to give… it overflows.

I like to think of this as those times when you go to Target, childless and without anything to do afterwards. Someone rolls up with their full cart and you let them go ahead of you because you’re at Target, childless. The. Best. You happily give up your spot in line so they can checkout first.

Not because you OWE them anything. Not because you feel guilty for taking up space. Not because you’re looking for anything in return - just because it truly feels good.

This is the overflowing vase. Doing things for others not out of shame, guilt, because you “should” but because you truly WANT to. It fills your vase even more.

What are some of those things you can begin doing that make your vase overflow? Here are some suggestions:

  • Take a guilt free nap.
  • Go to Target, alone.
  • Add some essential oils to the floor of the shower in the morning.
  • Reallllllly enjoy that morning cuppa joe.
  • Treat yourself to the car wash upgrade.
  • Lighting a special candle during your meditation.
  • Listen to the sound of the birds outside as you walk to your car.
  • Play hooky from work with no plans, sick kid or excuses. Just because.
  • Notice these things are NOT major undertakings like taking a vacation, spending tons of money, taking a ton of time. They’re small but they make you feel FANCY (at least they make me feel that way!). Try to do something that makes you feel fancy every day - fill that vase UP.

    Listen, if you give and give and give and then wait SO long to fill your vase up… it never works out in your favor. Keep that vase full with little things done daily that make you feel good.

    I’d love to hear what your “little things” are- tag me and I’ll share them on social media!

    Upcoming Craft Your Life happenings: The Mom Strong free Facebook group is now open! This is a no bullshit group for working moms who want health tips and tricks and mindset support. Search for Mom Strong - health, weight loss tips & mindset support for working moms and join us!

    As always, find me at jennifer.t.johnson on Instagram!  Got ideas for future topics? Questions you want explored? Email me at [email protected] 

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    WE'VE MOVED - FIND US OVER AT THE PERMISSION TO... PODCASTBy Coach Jen Johnson

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