What comes to mind when you think of self-care? Taking bubble baths, exercising and eating nutritiously? All of these things can be great self-care strategies, but for me, self-care is about not pushing myself beyond my limits. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way how pushing myself beyond my limits can be incredibly detrimental to physical and mental health.

I’m lying in bed in my pajamas, day-old makeup under my eyes. My hair is unwashed and unbrushed. There is nothing to eat in the house. I’m running dangerously low on shampoo. Yet I can’t make myself get out of bed, much less go to the store and pick up groceries and the essentials. I convince myself I don’t really need these basic human necessities and go back to bed where I don’t have to face the rest of the world. This is the day I realized I had depression.

When was the last time you put yourself first? If you can’t remember, you may be like many women today who are always putting themselves last. Whether it be at work or in your personal life, putting yourself first can be difficult. However, I would argue that 95% of the time, it is healthy to put yourself first. I truly believe you are going to be the best version of yourself if you dedicate time and energy to self-care.