I love the bucket analogy. 🪣
We each have an invisible bucket. When our bucket is full, we feel amazing, happy and fulfilled. Our bucket fills up from positive actions and behaviours like affection, praise, and gratitude. A compliment from someone or maybe a hug. A few kind words, a door held open or even from giving advice to a friend. We can also take precious water from our bucket and give it to someone else.
When our bucket is empty, we feel just awful, worn out and drained. Sometimes we concentrate on filling other's buckets and ours dwindles down to the very last drop before we realize it.
I've always been horrible at monitoring my own bucket. I think the red flashing light on it is broken. I always am the girl who puts other's first. I give and give until I'm utterly exhausted and then I retreat and put on my comfy, introvert pajamas & hide away for a bit.
It's so incredibly different having someone who wants to protect me and take care of me. He encourages me to take time for myself, for self-care and time to just refill my bucket. He ever so gently guides me to understand & realize that to truly help others, I need to be at my best or its counter productive. ♡
