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ZORA Check-In
Checking In: Save Some You for You
“You use up everything you’ve got trying to give everybody what they want.” — Nina Simone
During this pandemic and lockdown, all of us are scattered. Whatever we thought of as normal may not be so ever again. Our relationships may be tested since we all react to different kinds of stressors, and we may or may not communicate them immediately, if at all. So how do we make sure that we preserve ourselves during this unprecedented time?
The acclaimed singer and pianist Nina Simone, whose life and legacy are complicated yet heralded, reminds me of this need to have limits for me and only me.
I remember even before the coronavirus outbreak, I used to be a terribly insecure woman who wanted to be everything to everyone. You can imagine how draining this can be because what I sought in others, I should’ve found in myself. After many cries, come-to-Jesus moments, and therapy sessions, I finally built up my confidence and realized that I won’t be liked by everyone. I am not for everyone, and I’m not meant to be. None of us is. I have to make sure that my reservoir is full for me first and foremost.
ZORA fam, what does self-preservation look like for you? Share how you’ve created boundaries and learned more about yourself to sustain your well-being using #ZORACheckIn
