Stop Eating Your Heart Out. Meryl Hershey Beck

but I had to attend many, many meetings before I began to feel connected to the group—but it's worth your while to try.

      If you have already been exposed to Twelve-Step Recovery and decided it is not right for you, then be sure to check out other possible self-help or support groups. In addition, begin identifying people with whom you can allow yourself to be vulnerable, sharing the real you. Find a buddy with whom you check in every day. Since creating a strong support system takes time, it is wise to begin the process today.

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Self-Care

      In addition to creating a support system of caring people around you, it is time to stop being your own worst enemy and begin to become your own best friend. Let's start with ways you can take better care of yourself. As a psychotherapist, I see time and time again the adverse effects of my clients' lack of self-care. In general, women have been conditioned to be the givers, but men aren't very good at making themselves a priority, either.

      Do you put everyone else's needs before your own? What do you do to take care of yourself? Are you finding time to play? To laugh? To relax? To nurture yourself? The chances are pretty good that you are not—at least not yet. But with the help of some simple tools, that can—and will—change.

      In days long ago, I was always more interested in assisting others than in taking care of myself. I didn't ever want to appear selfish, so I continued to give and give of myself until eventually the well ran dry. While being selfish can mean being stingy, exercising self-care is filling yourself up before,