Guilt guilt guilt

This is a tricky one and, before I start I ought to add a disclaimer. Not everyone is as free to move abroad on a whim as they might wish (those with dependents may not find it so easy, for example). Therefore, we are not advocating turning your back on responsibilities and running for the hills. But I would argue that those of us who are free have a responsibility to live life as fully as possible, to take risks and embrace every opportunity.

Here’s the challenging bit: beware the cozy blanket of self-imposed obligation. Sometimes ‘being needed’ is a self-perpetuating comfort zone based on misplaced guilt and fear. Those you feel you ‘simply must be around for’ might be mortified to think that they were responsible for stopping you from doing something you wanted to do.

Examine your situation and be honest with yourself. Do these people really need you around? Or are you hiding behind the idea that they do, just a tiny little bit…?

You’ll know the answer.

Written by: Katie

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