You will always have you

The best part about being an adult is we get to take care of ourselves.
The hardest part about being an adult is we have to take care of ourselves.

Yes, having a support system is awesome.

The friend you call when a crisis hits.

A sibling to lean on when life gets a little too lifey.

A parent to tell your troubles and get some tenderness from.

The neighbor you connect with when checking the mail.

Places of faith where community is strong.

Online groups where strangers become friends through common interests and goals (I’m lookin’ at you, Dirties!).

The acquaintances that check in from time to time.

The pet who loves you unconditionally.

The partner who listens with empathy and compassion.

Your group of humans who see your light and your shadows and love you fully.

But here’s the thing about life: it changes.

People grow. People get sick. People move. People die. And we change, too.
Therefore, our relationships and support system will change, as well.

It can be hard, but change is not bad. Everything is in a constant state of flux, it’s the law of being alive. No matter how many people come and go, no matter how much someone changes, no matter how big or small our support system, the one person you will always have by your side is you. You’ve been there since you were born, and you will be there until you take your last breath.

So it’s okay. It’s okay if people come and go. It’s okay if people change. It’s okay if you change. It’s okay if people can’t always show up for you in the way you want.

It’s okay because you have you.

You know yourself better than anyone else on the planet knows you. Use that to your advantage and start exploring how you can best help yourself.

Be the best mom in the world, to yourself.

Be the most fiercely loving sibling, to yourself.

Be the most sturdy, steady, honest friend, to yourself.

Be the most loyal, tentative pet, to yourself.

Be the most kind, caring, compassionate partner, to yourself.

Doing this doesn’t mean you don’t need or appreciate people in your life. It actually makes relationships stronger and more enjoyable because you don’t come to your relationships with expectations of being taken care of. When you tend to your own basic needs, you let all your people off the hook and you can simply enjoy each other.

Taking care of yourself is like running a race. No one can run it for you, but it’s damn nice to have someone in your corner, handing you a cold bottle of water along the way.

Love all those fabulous people in your life and let them love you. And also, love and care for yourself like only you can.

You have your whole life to practice.

Molly