It’s Time to Be “Selfull”—Taking Care of You is Taking Care of Community
Leaders, changemakers, advocates—we see you. You’re out there each day working tirelessly to create a better world, to support the community you believe in, to build momentum towards change. But amid the drive, passion, and commitment to others, there’s a challenging truth you need to hear:
Taking care of YOU is just as important as taking care of your community.
This is not selfish. This is what we call being Selfull.
What is Selfull?
Being Selfull is about finding the balance between prioritizing your own well-being and showing up for others. It’s rooted in the belief that when you nourish yourself, you’re far better equipped to serve your community with resilience, clarity, and authenticity.
Too often, leaders and advocates face burnout because they forget one crucial thing—we need to pour back into ourselves to keep pouring into others. You cannot serve effectively from an empty cup.
Why Selfull is Key to Thriving Leadership and Community Well-being
Fostering a Thriving Community
Your well-being is deeply interconnected with the community you serve. Your healing, joy, and fulfillment ripple outward, creating space for others to experience the same. When you thrive, your community thrives.
Modeling Selfullness for Others
When leaders value and practice being selfull, they set a powerful example for others. Your actions demonstrate to your team or community that prioritizing well-being is integral to success, not an afterthought. When you are Selfull, you give permission for others to be as well.
Sustainable Leadership
Selfull leadership isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. When you neglect your needs, your ability to lead with compassion and creativity diminishes. When you're feeling burnt out, stressed, or emotionally drained, you're not only hurting yourself, you’re impacting the community you're working for. By practicing being Selfull, you ensure that your leadership remains sustainable and impactful.
"Selfull, Not Selfish"
The word selfish often carries a loaded, negative connotation, especially for leaders and advocates whose identities are tied to service. This leads to a mindset where prioritizing your own needs feels wrong, indulgent, or even harmful.
Here’s the truth: Being Selfull is about mutual care, not self-centeredness. It’s an acknowledgment that your well-being is a foundation for collective liberation. Taking care of yourself enables you to better care for others. It’s not an act of greed; it’s an act of love.
When you prioritize your mind, body, and soul, you’re not stepping away from your responsibilities. You’re strengthening your capacity to meet them fully.
Questions to Help You Take Care of Self While Supporting Others
To integrate Selfull practices into your life, start with self-reflection. Ask yourself these questions regularly to ensure you’re showing up for YOU:
Am I honoring my physical needs?
Am I getting enough rest, staying hydrated, eating nourishing food, and moving my body in ways that feel good? Your physical health is the foundation of everything else.
Do I create space for emotional tuning?
Am I processing my feelings or just pushing them aside? Am I leaning on my support network when I need it, whether that’s friends, family, peers, Coach or a professional therapist?
Am I building boundaries that protect my energy?
Am I saying “yes” too often and depleting myself? Do I know how and when to say “no” to responsibilities, tasks, or relationships that drain me?
Am I engaging in joy and rest without guilt?
When was the last time I paused to simply be? Am I giving myself permission to laugh, rest, and recharge without feeling like I’m “wasting time”?
What does re-centering look like for me this week?
Am I allowing myself time to reflect on what I need to feel balanced? Do I regularly set aside moments that are just about me?
Answering these questions honestly can help you identify gaps in your current self-care and guide you toward creating a Selfull way of living.
Final Thoughts: Selfull to Support Thriving
Leading change is hard work, but you don’t have to do it alone. Being Selfull doesn’t mean taking your foot off the gas; it means fueling your tank so you can keep driving the change that matters to you.
We encourage you to approach your self-care routine with the same dedication you use to approach your work. Remember, taking care of you is taking care of the community.
Start here: What’s one Selfull thing you can do today? Share with us in the comments or inspire your peers by tagging someone who needs this reminder.
You've got this. And we’ve got you.
Take the first step toward being Selfull. Connect with our resources, community, or training workshops designed to help changemakers like you thrive while making a difference.
