Jack: A Story of Taking Care of Yourself

A couple of weeks ago on Substack, we met my client, Jack, who struggled with self-care. He devoted himself entirely to work, leaving little room for personal enjoyment, and as a result, he was quite unhappy. Together, we realized he wasn’t making time for the small things that brought him joy and a sense of fulfillment.

“But I never have time for anything,” Jack said. “When am I supposed to fit in a hobby? I barely have ten minutes to relax before bed.”

I asked him to think back to activities he once enjoyed. After a moment, he recalled something.

“Well,” Jack said, “I used to love taking radios apart with my father and putting them back together.”

“Okay,” I said. “Why not do that again?”

“But it’s kind of silly. I mean, it’s pointless.”

“Could you do it just for fun?” I asked. “Something to feed your soul a little? Do you have a space where you could work?”

“Yes,” he replied. “I have a shed at the bottom of the garden. I could use that.”

After our session, Jack went home and cleared some space in his shed. He started small, setting aside fifteen minutes here and there to tinker with radios, taking them apart and putting them back together. Maybe his family thought his hobby was a bit eccentric, but that didn’t matter—because it was his thing, and it made him happy.

Over time, Jack found that he could regularly carve out time for himself. As he did, his sense of self-worth grew. By prioritizing something he enjoyed, he was affirming his own value. He was honoring his need for fun and personal fulfillment. The message he was sending himself was clear: I deserve time for the things that matter to me.

For a long time, Jack had felt stuck in a rut at work, yearning for something new but unsure how to break free. As he learned to value himself and his interests, his confidence grew. Eventually, he applied for a job he found more exciting. He landed an interview, was offered the position, and took it.

I never heard from Jack after that, which, as a personal coach, is often the best sign that someone’s life is moving in the direction they want. When a client no longer needs me, I know I’ve done my job well.

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