We all have a figurative internalized water jug that we use to pour over others in need.  You pour out a little water out for your partner, a little more water for your kid(s), for a friend or two, for a coworker…and then, before you know it, your water jug is empty and you have no more water to give. 

Think about what and who refills your water jug.  Does your partner sometimes give back and replenish your water supply?  Do you exercise on a consistent basis and does that feel like it fills you back up a little?  Are you exercising too much or too hard and it feels like it is depleting your water jug?  Is there a friend who you notice gives back more often then they take, or is it more often the opposite?  Are you taking (or could you consider taking) a creative arts class/ lesson that feels refreshing and rejuvenating?

Pay attention for a week and just notice.  You don’t have to change a thing right now.  Just start to notice without judging yourself or others.

I’m sure there are many ways in which you replenish your water jug.  Or maybe there are several new ways you would like to start making a more concerted effort to refill.

Let’s make this interactive.  As a comment below, please share some ways you already do refill, or some ideas that you have in mind to try in the near future.

Kimberly Atwood is a licensed counselor and certified sex therapist in private practice in Princeton, NJ and Doylestown, PA.  She specializes in sexual health, intimacy and relationship issues.  For more information, please check out her website at kimatwood.com