Self-Care Keeps Us from Running on Emotional Empty
“Don’t think I didn't deserve what I lost I run empty until I feel nothing inside I run empty until I feel nothing inside Oh, don’t think I didn't deserve what I got.” Tegan & Sara, I Run Empty Codependents, like most addicts, are used to running empty inside. In fact, it was our entire way of life prior to recovery. We were taught, usually by a parent, that all of our attention and personal resources were to be spent, or used-up, by taking care of the needs of others. Through observing the patterns of behavior between my mother and father, I learned that relationships were based on give and get. Love was all about how much I could give to others and how much I could then get in return from those same people. Like many people who grew-up in addictive households, I was taught at a very young age that self-love and self-care were extremely bad—even sinful. I got the message loud and clear: You are not to love or take care of yourself! I thus learned to con...