How Helping Others Can Fill Your Cup

When Helping Others is Part of Your Self-Care

For some of us, the act of helping others—whether it’s assisting a patron, checking in on a friend, or simply offering kindness to a stranger—fills our emotional well. We find strength and healing in connection, and giving our time or energy to support others makes us feel good. But how do we balance this when life gets overwhelming?

Why Helping Others Feels So Good

There’s a reason helping others is powerful. Studies show it releases endorphins, reduces stress, and increases feelings of connection. For those of us in service professions—like librarians—it can be both a calling and a coping mechanism. When we help, we feel more grounded, useful, and in tune with our community.

I’ve experienced firsthand that some of my most meaningful moments have come from lending a hand to someone in need, whether it was offering support to a patron experiencing homelessness, listening to a colleague who just needed to vent, or surprising a friend with a small act of kindness. Every time I help someone, I walk away feeling a little lighter and more connected to something bigger than myself.

Balance is Key

For many people, helping others gives you a happy boost, which also supports an overall feeling of well-being. With that in mind, it can sometimes be easy to lose sight of your own needs. If your self-care only involves giving to others, you might eventually feel drained or resentful. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) that it’s okay to set boundaries and say no when you need to recharge.

Here are a few tips I’ve found to Be helpful:

1. Set boundaries: Be honest with yourself about how much you can give without depleting your own energy.
2. Find joy in small acts: Not every act of kindness needs to be big. Sometimes holding the door for someone or giving a compliment is enough.
3. Practice reciprocal care: Surround yourself with people who can also support you when you need it.
4. Check in with yourself: Ask, “Am I helping because it feels good or because I feel I have to?”

Final Thoughts

If you are like me and helping others is part of your self-care, you should embrace it! Just remember that it’s okay to prioritize your own needs, too. Self-care doesn’t mean you have to stop being compassionate; it means making sure you have the energy to keep giving in meaningful, healthy ways.

Happy Self-Care,

the Compassionate Librarian