There comes a time—especially for us women who’ve lived, loved, nurtured, and sacrificed—when we must unlearn the lie that putting ourselves first is selfish.
The truth? It’s sacred. It’s necessary. It’s powerful.
I used to think that self-care was indulgent. That it meant taking something away from others. But life has shown me something far more profound: when I care for myself—body, mind, and spirit—I show up in my life with more grace, more presence, and more love to give.
That’s not selfish. That’s transformational.
The Moment Everything Changed
Looking back, there were seasons in my life when I wasn’t proud of how I showed up. Times when stress, exhaustion, and overwhelm shaped my words and actions more than love or patience ever could.
And if I’m honest, those were also the seasons when I was completely out of balance. No rest. No nourishment. No quiet moments with God. Just survival mode.
It took more than a few hard lessons—and more than a few tears—for me to realize: no one else is responsible for how I show up in the world but me. Regardless of what others say or do, I hold the power to respond with love… or not.
That’s the beauty and the burden of self-awareness.
The Power of Honest Self-Reflection
If you’ve never paused long enough to look inward, let this be your invitation.
Find a quiet moment. Just you, a pen, and a blank page. Think back to the times when your reactions didn’t align with the person you want to be. What was happening in your life then?
Were you exhausted? Overwhelmed? Emotionally drained?
Don’t just think—write. Pour it out. Then go deeper. Ask yourself:
Why did I react that way?
Write it down.
And why that?
Write again.
Keep peeling back the layers until you reach the root. This kind of vulnerability is hard—but it’s also where healing begins.
A Personal Story I’m Not Proud Of—But I’m Sharing Anyway
When my boys were in elementary school, mornings were chaos. Not because of them—but because of me.
I’d hit snooze too many times. Scramble out of bed already frazzled. Snap at my boys to hurry, rush breakfast, speed to school in a panic—sometimes dragging them through the doors just as the bell rang.
I was mad at myself. Anxious. Overwhelmed. But I never stopped to think: How is this shaping their day? Their view of me? Their view of themselves?
At the time, I thought, I’m doing the best I can. And maybe I was. But that “best” wasn’t rooted in self-care—it was rooted in burnout.
I’m not proud of those mornings. But I’m thankful for the grace my boys extended to me, and for the wisdom time has given me.
Now, I Do It Differently
These days, when my granddaughter spends the night, mornings look nothing like they used to.
I prepare the night before. Clothes laid out. Breakfast planned. I go to bed early, not out of duty—but out of love. I wake up before she does. I center myself. I create space for calm, for rocking chairs and morning snuggles, not chaos and tears.
I’m still the same woman. But I’m not the same version of her.
Why Self-Care Isn’t Optional—It’s Foundational
Here’s what I’ve learned:
I can’t pour love into others if I’m running on empty. I can’t nurture their joy if I’ve neglected my own. Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and spa days—it’s spiritual alignment. It’s choosing rest over hustle. It’s eating well, moving your body, making space for prayer, and showing up for the woman God created you to be.
For me, it’s praise and worship in the quiet of dawn. It’s journaling with coffee and Scripture. It’s feeling the Father’s love wrap around me and knowing—deep in my bones—that He delights in me.
To feel that kind of love, while holding the love I have for my children and granddaughter in my heart—and to know that His love for me surpasses even that—is a truth so beautiful, it’s almost hard to imagine.
Your Journey Starts with One Honest Step
So I invite you: take that step. Reflect. Write. Rest. Refill your soul.
Because when you begin to prioritize your well-being, you’ll find that everything else—your relationships, your peace, your purpose—begins to align.
You were never meant to run on empty.
You were made to live full, radiant, and free.
Much Love,
Michelle