I usually make tea for myself every morning. I pour hot tea into a cup and watch as the steam rises. I pause, letting it cool just enough to take that first sip. It’s a comforting routine, I must say. But sometimes, I forget to blow on my tea, distracted by the whirlwind of chaotic thoughts that accompany me. The first sip, too hot, burns my tongue, leaving behind a lingering discomfort that lasts long after the cup is finished. It’s a small mistake, but one that can spoil the simple pleasure of a warm drink – just like how I’ve treated myself over the years.
I’ve always been proud of my strong sense of empathy – it’s my best trait, especially when I can feel deeply for others and do whatever I can to ease their pain. But in my eagerness to care for others, I’ve often forgotten to care for myself. Like sipping tea that’s too hot, I’ve allowed myself to be burned by the very thing I thought was a strength.
I used to believe that the more I felt for others, the better person I was. I would absorb their sadness, anger, and frustration, carrying it with me as if it were my own. I thought that by taking on their burdens, I was lightening their load. And in a way, I was. But what I didn’t realize was that in doing so, I was neglecting my own well-being.
Just as I sometimes forget to blow on hot tea, I forgot there’s an invisible line between being empathetic and being unkind to myself. I was so focused on fixing others that I didn’t notice when I was burning out. The emotional sack I carried became too full, almost tearing apart, but I kept dragging it along despite the heaviness. I mistook my exhaustion as a normal part of being a caring person, not realizing I was bleeding myself dry in the process.
Now, I’m learning to blow on my tea, to take a moment to let things cool before diving in. I’m learning when I need to step back, when I need to let go, and when I need to be extra gentle with myself. Just as tea is best enjoyed when it’s at the right temperature, life is best lived when we care for others without forgetting to care for ourselves.
