Check your real needs This sounds obvious, but many of us get so caught up with taking care of everyone else’s needs during this time of year that we forgot to slow down and check our own needs. The results can be that we get trapped in fulfilling each other’s presumed expectations, with nobody’s getting what they need or want in the end. It can be tough to be honest about what our find when you take that space to breathe a check in with yourself. However, if you step up and speak out about what you need – whether it is time alone, a massage, a pillow fight, silly game or a hug – you give other people permission to do the same.