We Can Only Help Others as Far as We've Helped Ourselves By Julie Hines There’s a saying that goes, " You can't pour from an empty cup . "But in the world of healing, coaching, and even just being a supportive friend or family member, there’s another layer: You can only guide people as far as you’ve gone yourself. That’s not meant to be discouraging—it’s a reminder of the power and importance of inner work. Why It's So Important to Do Your Own Inner Healing Whether it’s childhood trauma, relationship wounds, abandonment, rejection, or unresolved emotional pain— these unhealed parts of us quietly shape how we show up in the world. They influence how we speak, how we connect, how we react, and how we help others. If we haven't looked at our own pain with honesty and compassion, we’re likely to: - Project our wounds onto others - Give advice from a place of fear rather than truth - Avoid deeper conversations because they mirror our own suppressed pain - ...