How to prioritise self care?

I think you have only failed at one thing....you have failed to fail.  There, I've said it. I've used this analogy before but I'll use it again, as I think it is appropriate here again. Think of a glass, say three quarters full. You could add a teaspoon more of water, and the level would rise slightly, but there is still the capacity for more to be added. If the glass is full, almost to the brim, and you add that teaspoon, you might get away with it, it may just not overflow. But, if that glass is completely full, so full that the surface meniscus is bulging, and you add just one drop....it will overflow. And not just that last drop would spill, but a good deal more. Perhaps two teaspoons full. How could that be...well that bulging meniscus was under pressure, just managing to maintain its integrity by keeping what was there in place, that extra drop broke that. Kate, your glass is full, you can't add another drop. Some of the water that is already in your glass has to be drained. Each of your kids has to take a sip from it to give you the capacity to maintain your mental meniscus as more drops get added to your glass in the future...and there will be. We all know they will. If the balance is maintained, by each person doing that sipping, the capacity of that glass will be never ending. It will always take more. Sending you the biggest hug. Ally.