Put Your Own Oxygen Mask First
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Have you ever felt guilty for sleeping in on a holiday because your child’s breakfast wasn’t ready? Or skipped your workout because you had to pack a lunchbox—even when you knew leftovers were just fine?
What about the guilt of choosing silence for yourself over small talk, or taking a long bath while someone else waits for dinner?
We tell ourselves stories: “How can I?” “What kind of mother/partner/child would do that?”
But these stories, while noble on the surface, often hide deep-rooted self-sabotage.
Coaching conversations have shown me how often people hesitate to “put on their own oxygen mask first.” And yet, how can you help others breathe if you’re gasping for air yourself?
Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s a life skill. It’s a leadership act. It’s a parenting practice. And more than anything—it’s your right.
It takes confidence to say, “I deserve a moment.” But confidence is exactly what you get when you allow yourself that moment.
What’s one “guilt-driven” act you could release this week to take better care of you?
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