#341 - Monday Motivation: "You can't pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first."

Welcome to another short but empowering episode of Monday Motivation, giving you a dose of inspiration as you head into your week…

Today, we explore the importance of self-care and why you can’t pour from an empty cup. Inspired by the powerful reminder:

"You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first."

Three key takeaways you can expect from this episode:

1. Why prioritising self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential for showing up fully in your life.
2. Five simple but powerful ways to start filling your own cup daily.
3. How setting boundaries and making time for yourself leads to more joy and energy.

Take this opportunity to learn how to recharge and nourish yourself so you can give from a place of abundance rather than exhaustion.

As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonates with you from this episode and what you plan to implement after listening in. So please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here.    

💛 Have a wonderful week …and remember, it all starts with a dream 💛

Dream Life & kikki.K Founder

 

SHOW NOTES:

• Learn more about the our Reconnect to You Retreats (Melbourne & Sydney) 👉 
• 👉 Daily Wins Journal for gratitude and reflection  
• Join my Platinum Coaching Program - where in April our focus is on Unlocking Peak Productivity. Optimising your time and energy for maximum impact on your dreams and goals. Monthly Habit: Daily Breathwork! Practice daily to improve focus, reduce stress, and energise your. Learn more here.
• Join my virtual book club GROW for April where we meet weekly on Zoom to discuss and squeeze the learnings from great books. This April we're reading The Wonder Mindset: Innovate from Within, by Sarah Pirie-Nally. A transformative book. Sarah is on a mission to inspire transformational change and help individuals design better lives for themselves and future generations. Learn more here.
• Dream Life Community Facebook Group: Connect with like-minded dreamers.

RESOURCES:

• Sign up to our email list here to hear about upcoming workshops.
• Take your first step to getting clarity on what you want from life with this free bonus dreaming exercise here 101 Dreams Audio Guide 
• Buy Kristina's book, Your Dream Life Starts Here
• Discover how close you are to living your Dream Life. Take our 5min Quiz here and get personalised insights emailed to you...

TRANSCRIPT:

Hello, and welcome back to another episode of Monday Morning Motivation!

I’m so excited to be here with you today as we step into a brand-new week. And I want to begin with a simple but powerful reminder:

"You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first."

I absolutely love this quote because it’s something we all need to hear—especially if you’re someone who is always giving, always doing, and always showing up for others. But here’s the truth: if we don’t take care of ourselves, eventually, we’ll have nothing left to give.

So today, let’s talk about how we can start filling up our cups—so we can live, love, and give from a place of abundance rather than exhaustion.

Why Self-Care is Non-Negotiable

Think about it—when you’re running on empty, everything feels harder, right? You might feel more irritable, exhausted, less patient, and overall, less present in your life. And when we don’t prioritise ourselves, we’re far more likely to experience burnout, overwhelm, and even resentment.

But when we do take care of ourselves—our health, our happiness, our well-being—we show up differently. We feel lighter, more present, and more aligned with the life we truly want to live.

How to Start Prioritising Yourself

So, how do we actually begin taking care of ourselves first? Here are five simple but powerful ways:

1. Create Daily Self-Care Rituals

Self-care isn’t about extravagant spa days (though those are lovely too!); it’s about the small, everyday things that nourish you.

• Take five minutes in the morning to journal your thoughts or set an intention.
• Practice mindfulness—maybe that means savoring your morning coffee without distractions.
• Move your body—stretch, do yoga, or go for a short walk outside.
• Light a candle, read a few pages of a book, or simply take a few deep breaths.

Even tiny acts of self-care can make a huge difference.

2. Set Boundaries & Learn to Say No

One of the biggest reasons we feel drained is because we overcommit. Ask yourself: Where am I saying ‘yes’ when I really mean ‘no’?

Protect your energy. You don’t need to explain yourself—your well-being is reason enough.

3. Do Something Just for You

So many of us spend our time doing things for others—our kids, our partners, our work, our friends. But when was the last time you did something just because you wanted to?

• Book a massage.
• Take yourself on a solo coffee date.
• Sign up for that creative class you’ve been thinking about.
• Stay in bed with a good book.
• Simply give yourself permission to rest.

4. Go on a Retreat (Yes, You Deserve It!)

There is something truly magical about stepping away from your everyday routine to focus on yourself.

That’s why I’m so excited to invite you to my upcoming ‘Re-Connect with You’ Retreat on the stunning Mornington Peninsula on March 27th.

This one-day retreat is designed for just 10 women, creating a deeply intimate and transformative experience. It’s a day to pause, breathe, reflect, and truly fill your cup with inspiration, clarity, and deep self-care.

If this speaks to you, I’d love to have you join me! But regardless of whether you come to this retreat or find your own way to retreat—whether it’s a solo day at the beach, a weekend getaway, or even just an hour alone with a journal—find space to reset.

5. Practice Gratitude & Reflection

One of the simplest ways to nourish yourself is by shifting your focus. Instead of dwelling on what’s missing, start noticing what’s already wonderful.

Each night, write down three things you’re grateful for. It will help you cultivate joy, even in the busiest seasons of life.

Final Thoughts

So, as we step into this week, I encourage you to ask yourself: How can I fill my own cup first?

Because when you do, you don’t just take care of yourself—you show up as the best version of YOU for everyone and everything in your life.

What I’ve learned over the years is that self-care matters most when we do it daily—not just once a year. And if you’re able to, a retreat once or twice a year can be an incredible way to reset.

And if you’re feeling that nudge—that whisper telling you that you need time just for YOU—come and join me for my ‘Re-Connect with You’ Retreat on March 27th at the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. Spots are very limited, so if this feels like something your soul needs, don’t wait! I would love to spend the day with you.

That’s it for today. Wishing you a week full of self-care, joy, and moments just for you.

Please share in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook group: What is one thing you’ll do this week to fill your own cup?

Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup—so make sure you fill yours first. 💛