Stronger Than My Struggles

**5 Signs You’ve Been Pouring From an Empty Cup**

There was a time I didn’t even realize I was running on empty. I just kept showing up, giving, holding it together… until I couldn’t anymore.

And maybe that’s where you are too.

Here are 5 signs you’ve been pouring from an empty cup:

**1. You feel tired even after resting.**
Not just physically—emotionally drained like nothing fully restores you anymore.

I remember going through this when I was most actively running STMS. I was traveling so much, I often showed up to teach the weekly writing workshop with My luggage, coming straight from the airport. I would then rest for days and still feel out of it. There was too little time to recover between responsibilities, even if I rested for days it seemed.

**2. You keep showing up for everyone else, but neglect yourself.**
You can solve everyone else’s problems, but your own needs stay on the back burner.

I used to be the strong one. The one everyone called. But I stopped calling Myself strong in 2023 when I was released from the hospital and could barely show up for Myself. Even worse, I found out how few people were willing to show up for Me.

**3. You feel irritated or overwhelmed by small things.**
Things you used to handle easily now feel heavy or triggering.

**4. You’ve lost excitement for things you used to enjoy.**
The joy is still there somewhere—but it feels buried.

I didn’t even notice I stopped doing the things that used to make Me feel like Me until recently after completing physical therapy. Suddenly, the reality that I've barely left the house in almost 3 years hit Me, HARD.

**5. You keep telling yourself, ‘I’ll rest later.’**
But later keeps getting pushed back… and your body is keeping score.

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If this feels like you, I want you to know something gently:

You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You’re just depleted.

And you don’t have to stay there.

This is exactly why I created **Becoming Her**—a space for women who are ready to stop surviving and start coming back to themselves, one small step at a time.

If this spoke to you, come join us. 🤍

Becoming Her: Self-Discovery A space for women who are tired of shrinking their lives and are ready to rebuild confidence, structure, and self-trust.

I journal to clear My mind, regulate My thoughts and figure out what's important to Me.

When I stopped waiting to heal, I started to heal unexpectedly. There were so many things that I found Myself saying that I would do "soon" or "sometime." Time was steady passing Me by, but I "soon" and "sometime" never came.

I never felt good enough to just do the things I said mattered. Instead, I waited and wasted away.

One day, I picked up one of the many guided journals that I had picked up and put aside until I felt 'better' and started to write. As I filled out journal prompts, I noticed that I started feeling lighter, My thoughts were becoming more clear.

Taking the time to nurture Myself, to care for Myself, My thoughts, My feelings and the outcome of the problems I faced, had started Me on a healing path. It happened without Me noticing; one day, I just realized I didn't hurt any more.

Do you journal?
My Journey to Journaling digital guide is a great way to take control of your thoughts and figure out what really matters to you, what holding you back and what steps you're ready to take to move forward.

Grab a copy today and start your Journey to Journaling

Get Your Journey to Journaling E-Guide Now by @StrongerThanMyStruggles | Stan Your Guide to Written & Visual Journaling

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