So key! How many people with chronic pain balance self-care with self efficacy or mastery? Not many, from my professional experience.
Thinking in dichotomous, or all or nothing, ways increases pain levels. Self- care will equal being ‘selfish’ rather than fueling one’s ‘self’. The same will go for being all things to all people or ‘self-less’. Can a car go without fuel? No way!
Modify this thinking error by balancing self-care and doing things for others, and you’ll reduce your pain!