Mama Bear 911

[Neon_Rampage123]

I have a problem where I tend to jump into mama bear mode. I put everyone elses happiness before my own, so then I carry not only my burdens but theirs. I find myself overly stressed and sometimes it just takes over. How can I stop carrying everyone else's burdens?

[ascaredteen]

I know this might be easier said than done, but you need to learn how to focus on yourself.

While your friends may need a shoulder to lean on at times, don't let yourself "carry their burdens" unless they ask you to. I know sometimes that friends don't come right out and say that they need you, but you need to let them know that you're there for them vocally-- although I'm sure that they already know this. In the end you need to tell yourself that you are a good friend but always need to put yourself first. Who's there at the end of the day when you're going to bed? You are.

It's not about being selfish, you just need to let go of the drama and work on nurturing yourself in a mental, physical, and spiritual manner. Whether that's taking a warm bubble bath to relieve yourself of the temptation to jump onto a friend's problems, through prayer, or eating a healthy snack. It's always best to occupy your mind with something else relating to yourself when you feel this stress or need to become "Mama Bear" coming on. :)