KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

http://DOCintheBiz.com

We all have many different relationships in our lives. Each one is unique and all of them are ones in which we “wear different hats.”

Let’s say a woman is a mother, daughter, sister, wife, friend, co-worker, and teacher. That’s an awful lot of hats to wear!

As we know from our wonderful William Shakespeare, “All the world’s a stage” and this woman mentioned above certainly takes on WELL more than five completely distinct roles. Even within her classroom and with her co-workers, she maintains different rapports with each and every person. She will certainly act differently with the principal of the school then she will with any of her students. Even each student sees a varied side of her personality as she shares connections with each one differently.

So, let’s quickly follow her day. When she leaves work (her 25 or so students and all her co-workers from other teachers to administrators), she may stop at the small convenience store and converse with the same lady who checks her out each time she’s there. She then goes home and calls and relates to her mother, sister, and perhaps a friend or two. Her three children enter the home from their day at school and she spends time with them. Then when her husband arrives home from work, she will spend her time with him as well. I felt amazed when I actually began to think about how much of ourselves we exert and give to others in a single day!

Doesn’t it almost seem as though we have to maintain MANY separate and distinct personalities to have all the different relationships we have in our lives? But somehow, we remain ourselves and all the different facets of what make us who we are shine through and make us the person we need to be for all these important people in our life.

Each relationship we have demands and necessitates different requirements from us. Many times we find ourselves juggling our emotions and our time. The key to staying fulfilled and whole ourselves is to learn how to maintain balance in trying to make time for everyone in our lives and make them happy. All the while, we must learn our limitations, when to say no, and take care of our own needs. We need this inner strength and fortitude to be able to keep giving to the countless people with whom we are in relationships. This does not make us selfish; it makes us emotionally healthy!

Please visit us at http://DOCintheBiz.com for our mental health self help links and the opportunity to email Dr. KC for professional and confidential help with any concerns you may have regarding relationship issues or any other issues you may be having! You are never alone!

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