Self sacrifice is the giving up of something so as to achieve something else, considered to be better than what you are giving up.
The word sacrifice implies that you are giving up something precious to you, opting to get something which may be less precious to you, thus making it a sacrifice.
This might be true when in the pursuit of physical matters, but it is not so with emotional matters.
Too much is made of the word sacrifice, causing people to feel entitled because they have given up something so as to get something.
It is a choice, not a sacrifice. Very little sacrifice happens on earth and very little is needed, particularly emotionally.
To choose an emotional goal will involve a self gain. To give up something so as to get it, is because the goal is more important to you than what you gave up.
Make a choice as to what you want in life, acknowledge the price and commit to getting it. If you succeed you gain, if you fail you gain from what the journey teaches you. No one owes you because of your choices.
From my guide Crazy Horse through Ian Rogers Director Sphinx Spiritual