Episode 133: The Value of Self-Loyalty

<span style='font-weight: 400;'>Devoted, constant, and committed – all my clients would list loyalty as one of their highest values.</span> <p><span style='font-weight: 400;'>Loyalty to their mothers, fathers, spouses, kids, friends, work, and the world in general.</span></p> <p><span style='font-weight: 400;'>They are the listeners, supporters, lovers, givers, cheerleaders, and fans. They are the caregivers for their aging parents. They are the backbone of their families, relationships, and workplaces.</span></p> <p><span style='font-weight: 400;'>The dark side of this loyalty to others is the exhaustion, the never-ending to-do list, the never feeling good enough, whole enough, satisfied enough. </span></p> <p><span style='font-weight: 400;'>The anxiety.</span></p> <p><span style='font-weight: 400;'>All this month we are exploring the unique values of someone with High Functioning Anxiety and how they silently struggle with these values. </span></p> <p><span style='font-weight: 400;'>Last week we talked with</span> <a href='https://live-happier.com/132-brittany-berger/'><span style='font-weight: 400;'> Brittany Berger about anxiety and productivity</span></a><span style='font-weight: 400;'>. This week I am talking about how those of us with HFA value loyalty.  </span></p> <p><span style='font-weight: 400;'>Here is the irony: some of the kindest, gentlest, giving people in the world never quite feel kind, gentle, or giving enough.</span></p> <p><span style='font-weight: 400;'>Want to know why?</span></p> <p><span style='font-weight: 400;'>They are so busy devoting themselves to make sure their family and friends are heard, supported, and cared for they bypass themselves.</span></p> <p><span style='font-weight: 400;'>They have been trained to care for everyone else but themselves. </span></p> <p><span style='font-weight: 400;'>This is something I have struggled with personally. I love caring for people. I pride myself on my loyalty, I love being there for those closest to me, and I know it has come at a price. A p