Needlessly burdening yourself with other people’s issues will only cause premature grays and wrinkles.

It’s great to be a caring person who tends to other people's needs as well as your own. However, too much of a good thing quickly becomes a bad thing when the people you care for don’t understand the importance of having strong boundaries. The Devil represents the problems that can arise from overindulgence, in every sense of the word.

Right now, you’re so focused on the needs of others that you’re ignoring yourself. It’s causing you a great deal of stress, likely leaving you feeling chained to the situation like the couple (Adam and Eve) on the card. Thankfully, you can break free of this habit, but it will take a lot of inner work.

Release Unhealthy Attachments

Sometimes, you will outgrow people or situations that you are deeply attached to. Like the chains Baphomet has attached to Adam and Eve, these bonds appear to be unbreakable, though you know that a bit of force can destroy the chains and set you free.

It’s normal to get attached to those you care about, especially if you are witnessing them go through a particularly difficult period. However, it’s crucial to know when to walk away, or you’ll find yourself trapped in the same mentality.

Burdening yourself with other people’s struggles is a valiant effort, of course. You try to care for them out of the goodness of your own heart. However, you should also consider how much of your relentless desire to help them comes from your own projections. There may be something involved in this person’s situation that you experienced before. You feel qualified to help them get through it; but you don’t realize that re-entering that old headspace is stressing you out, to the point where you’re experiencing physical signs of anxiety.

You can cut ties with people who no longer serve your best interest. Many believe that doing this is selfish; however, releasing yourself from an unhealthy connection gives this person the space to grow on their own terms. You are no longer pressuring them, or you, to heal the “right way” because of your own experience and perspective. In fact, releasing them is the only way that they will grow–you can tell they aren’t listening to your advice already, so it’s a bit redundant to keep trying to change their mind.

Know You Tried Your Best

The thing with failed connections is that it always feels like a personal issue. You think of everything you did wrong, versus the circumstances that made the connection unhealthy in the first place. This is all a part of the chains that link you, like on the Devil tarot card. You are trapped in this mindset because you are being motivated by fear and stress.

A healthier approach would be to recognize that you tried your very best to help this person before you ultimately let them go. Redirecting your attention and reframing your thought process will free you from any unnecessary burden, especially things you are taking on from others.

Put Yourself First

You need to prioritize your own wellbeing at this time. Taking extra efforts to practice self-care is the only way to get yourself out of this hole. You can do little things, like buying yourself a sweet treat or taking yourself out on a date to ease your mind.

Spend more time with people who have uplifting energies. Your support system is well-rounded and equipped to help you through this difficult time. Once you learn to release other people’s problems, you’ll feel so much better!