13/10/2026
“Is everyone else okay?”
For many of us, we learnt early to be caretakers. Reading the room, anticipating needs and keeping everyone happy became a way to feel safer in the world.
This part of us has a beautiful side: empathy, compassion, kindness and responsibility.
It also has a shadow side. People pleasing. Difficulty setting boundaries. Exhaustion, burnout and sometimes resentment or rage. Our own needs can get buried beneath everyone else’s.
During perimenopause and menopause, fluctuating and declining oestrogen can affect mood, sleep and energy. For some of us, this season also brings a recognition: “I can’t keep carrying everything.”
Through a parts lens, we can become curious about the caretaker. What has this part been carrying and why? What does it fear might happen if it stops? What support does it need now, from self and others?
We can honour its kindness while helping it make room for boundaries, rest and receiving care.
You deserve to be included in the question:
“Am I okay, too?”
