Somewhere in the world – and perhaps right here, in front of the screen reading this article – there is an extraordinary woman who has dedicated her life to her career and taking care of her family. She has been a guiding force, a stable and loving presence for those around her. But now, at this stage of her life, she finds herself at a crossroads. She feels tired, exhausted, and lost in a labyrinth of responsibilities and duties.
Has the time come for her to understand how vital it is to take care of herself? We hope so!
Every day, this woman wakes up early to face professional challenges in a job that undoubtedly fulfills her but leaves her with no room to breathe. She puts all her energy into giving her best.
And then there’s the family, the husband, the children, perhaps even elderly parents, who, as much as she loves them, consume the little energy she has left. But nobody notices because a woman’s life often unfolds this way: it is taken for granted that she must excel at everything except taking care of herself.
Her days are filled with commitments, and her nights are often dominated by worries and thoughts about what needs to be done the next day.
She has sacrificed her time, her energy, and her passions for others, always putting herself on the back burner because that is the role society has chosen for her – and she has accepted it.
Every now and then, this woman pauses and takes a deep breath. She realizes that her physical, mental, and, above all, spiritual health, are of vital importance. She feels the desperate need to dedicate herself to herself – perhaps for the first time in many years, or perhaps for the first time in her life. For too long, she has put herself in second place, ignoring her own needs and setting aside her personal happiness, and now she doesn’t even know where to begin.
How will she explain to others that she will no longer be available in the same way? What will her clients say? Her husband? Her children? Her parents?
Will they blame her because she has finally decided to do the right thing and take care of herself? Or will they pretend as if nothing has changed, just like all the other times she expressed the desire to slow down?
Taking care of oneself is not a luxury but a necessity. It is an act of self-love that allows us to regain balance and inner serenity so that we can, if we desire, be more present for others. It is never a matter of “quantity” but of “quality” of the resources we make available to those we love.
And this woman, who represents a little bit of all of us, should finally understand that taking care of herself is not a fault. It is important for this woman to realize that there is nothing selfish about dedicating herself to her body, her mind, and, above all, her spirituality.
But society stubbornly denies her this right, and as a result, she denies it to herself.
This woman can and should benefit from moments of tranquility and meditative and introspective practices that help her relax, release accumulated stress, and restore inner balance. Her mind needs time to rest, regenerate, and find new inspirations.
But her spirit also wants and needs to be nurtured, which means connecting with what is deeper and more authentic, a way to find inner peace and a connection with something greater than ourselves.
When this woman finally decides to dedicate herself to herself, not only will she feel more in tune with her true essence and therefore happier and more fulfilled, but she will also become a better version of herself – for herself and for others. Taking care of herself means having more energy, joy, and love to share with those dear to her.
So, if you identify with this woman, I invite you to let go of the guilt that overwhelms you when you think of dedicating time to yourself – a guilt that is sometimes so veiled that it manifests as excuses like “I don’t have time for…”
Start using the right words and stop lying to yourself. Instead of saying “I don’t have time for…,” start telling the truth, which is: “Taking care of myself is not a priority because before me, there’s my husband, my job, my children, my friends…”
You will see that sooner or later, something will click inside you, and you will find “the time.”
Remember that your physical, mental, and spiritual health are important, and when you start taking care of yourself, your light will expand because you will become a source of inspiration for others and achieve personal fulfillment that exceeds all expectations.
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