118. Self-Sacrifice and Martyrdom Should Not Be Glorified

The Mindful Healers Podcast with Dr. Jessie Mahoney and Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang

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The Mindful Healers Podcast

​118. Self-Sacrifice and Martyrdom Should Not Be Glorified​

Published on February 5, 2023

Self-sacrifice and martyrdom are glorified in medical training. They help us get through our training but have high, unappreciated costs for the rest of our lives.

This podcast is a compassionate and loving invitation to consider changing your relationship with self-sacrifice and martyrdom.

In medicine, parenthood, and caregiving of all kinds, females are expected to sacrifice, serve, over give, and be martyrs. The message is that this is what a “good” doctor/mom/wife/daughter should do.

Driven by guilt, blame, shame, and expectation, we sacrifice at work and at home -- until we crash and burn.

Self-sacrifice and martyrdom are not sustainable. They inevitably create disconnection, isolation, and burnout

While they begin rooted in love for our patients and our families and the world they ultimately lead to resentment, exhaustion and bitterness.

What are some solutions to breaking the habit of self-sacrifice and martyrdom?

Noticing,

asking what love would do,

connecting with what you want,

and

accepting the discomfort of new patterns of behaviors

are all good first steps.

“Me As Well” and loving kindness are also effective ways to begin.

Where do self-sacrifice and martyrdom show up in your life?

Why do these attributes exist in your life?

What stories do you tell that encourage this behavior?

Are self-sacrifice and martyrdom contributing to the disconnection, isolation, resentment, and burdened feelings you struggle with?

How might you break the cycle?

Might loving-kindness meditation help?

Break the cycle of these unhelpful habits with coaching, a retreat, and/or a robust mindfulness practice.

Reach out to Dr. Mahoney for help changing your relationship with martyrdom and self-sacrifice. Coaching is an effective solution. www.jessiemahoneymd.com

Dr. Liang is available to lead interactive workshops, give talks, or provide tailor-made mindfulness sessions for you or a group of any size- you can reach her at [e-mail].

#nationalwomenphysicianday #womeninmedicine #physicianburnout #physicanhealth

*Nothing in this episode should be considered medical advice.

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