What is the cup analogy?

The "cup analogy" as explained by Haesue Jo, uses the metaphor of two people coming to a table with their own cups to illustrate the dynamics of relationships and self-sufficiency. If both individuals arrive with their cups full, they are not desperate for the other to fill their cup, and can share and contribute comfortably from their abundance. However, if one or both come with an empty cup, they may feel a compulsion for the other to fill their cup, leading to potential relationship strain and depletion.

In this context, the cup represents a person's emotional and psychological resources. When someone's cup is full, it indicates self-sufficiency and health; when it's empty, it indicates a lack of self-love or excessive reliance on others for emotional support, complicating relationships 1.