Have you ever replayed a conversation in your head and wondered whether you said the wrong thing? Maybe you noticed someone’s facial expression and immediately assumed they were upset with you. Or perhaps you spent hours thinking about how you looked, sounded, or behaved in a particular situation.

Caring about other people is an important part of healthy relationships. We naturally want to support our friends, family members, partners, and the people around us when they are going through difficult experiences.

Putting yourself first can sometimes feel uncomfortable. You may want to rest, say no, protect your time, or focus on your own needs, but instead of feeling relieved, you may feel guilty. For many people, this guilt comes from the belief that caring for themselves means neglecting others. They may worry that setting boundaries will disappoint someone or that prioritizing their own well-being is selfish.