Put Your Mask on First

We have all heard this spiel when flying, when the oxygen mask falls from the overhead compartment, put your mask on before helping someone else. It is going to be easier to focus on helping others if you are securely buttoned up with your own mask first. Although, if there is a reason for you to be donning an oxygen mask in the first place, I’m not sure the order of whose mask goes on first is going to be the top priority. 

However, let’s play the theory out a little further. Why would you want to put your mask on before helping someone else? Well, if you are overcome by lack of oxygen, you are now no longer physically able to help anyone else. In order to be helpful, you need to be prepared to help. You have to be breathing oxygen continually to be of any help to someone who is too small or frail or scared to help themselves. 

In life, we don’t take this theory seriously enough. As event professionals we work hard, play hard, and take care of others. We have busy schedules, lots of responsibilities, work, families, and friends. We are living in this year, next year, the next year, the next year, and depending on how big the events are that you plan, you could be planning and living in the next 5-7 years. That’s a lot of future to be living in one year! 

We all need to remember to “put our oxygen masks on” before helping others. We need to remember to schedule time for ourselves. What that looks like for you may be different than it is for others. You may need to schedule regular massages. You may need to schedule a vacation. You may just need to hire a babysitter for a day. Maybe you need to work into your schedule more date nights, regular Bible reading, or time with your friends. Maybe you need to actually schedule blocked time in your calendar so you have time to catch up on calls and emails at the end of every day. Whatever it is, if you don’t take care of you on a regular basis, you will be no good to those you care for. 

So consider this your pre-flight reminder to take care of you so that you can be prepared to care for those around you, because as event planners, I know that’s what you want to do.

Do you have a self-care ritual that works for you? Share it here or email me!

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