I understand your post and it's truly positive. But, maybe I'm the one that stepped out of line. Whilst deep into my addiction, I entirely ignored myself and continued to care for others (people and animals). Their needs were met, albeit not optimally. Yet, at the same time, I completely and utterly, neglected myself.
It was only when I stopped drinking, that I started thinking about myself, my mortality, the damage I'd inflicted on my body. Then I started to think about myself (which was difficult) and I mustered some semblance of self-care and self-love. At almost 14 months sober, I can say that I finally think about myself, care about myself and dare I say it, finally love myself - that person I look in the mirror - after years of never looking in the mirror, through shame.