There’s something about silence that speaks. It’s in the quiet moments we finally hear the whispers of our own hearts. My journey to prioritizing self-care in mental health didn’t come instantly or with age—it unfolded slowly, like peeling back layers of expectations I had placed on myself.

Sound familiar?

You wake up tired and get through the day with a cup of coffee, but somehow your mind still races when you finally lie down at night. It wasn’t until I hit my emotional wall that I realized self-care wasn’t selfish; it was survival. Over time, I wanted to get out of survival mode because this wasn’t healthy either.

It’s funny how we can be so in tune with what others need while being so disconnected from ourselves. The realization didn’t come with clarity immediately. It came through small, deliberate acts. One day, I chose to say "no" when I needed rest. Another day, I closed my laptop at a reasonable hour instead of pushing through exhaustion to finish "just one more thing." At other times, I would go to bed at 7:30 pm. When I couldn’t push through anymore.  I gave myself permission to stop running and pushing and just rest.

Prioritizing self-care is about more than bubble baths—though, trust me, those are nice too. It’s about creating boundaries that honor your mental and emotional space. I started by tuning into how certain people, environments, and even my thoughts affected my mental and emotional state. Depression and anxiety had been with me for years and I didn’t know because I was trying to outrun my thoughts and the past. It was draining me. Focusing on my mental health, led me to shut out the need to take care of everybody else and refocus on what I needed to overcome, heal, and grow

In the moments of stillness, I began journaling more. Writing is a safe place for me. Going back years within the covers of my journals, I find answers to prayers, observations I had written but couldn’t understand at the time, and words that remind me that I am resilient.  

Self-care is different for each person. It is a moment, a second, or a day where you put yourself first and allow yourself to fill your inner cup.

Every day doesn’t look the same when you become intentional about prioritizing your mental health and using Self-Love as a tool to help.  Some days, it’s crying in the shower because life feels too heavy. And that’s okay. Self-care looks different for all of us, but the common thread is making time to tune into what we need—without guilt, without apology.

Your mental health deserves to be prioritized.

You deserve to be prioritized.

If you’ve been waiting for permission, here it is: Let go of the guilt.

Take up space in your own life. Whether it’s a 10-minute walk outside, setting a boundary, or simply giving yourself the grace to rest, know that taking care of yourself is the first step toward showing up fully for the life you’re meant to live.

 I hope you feel empowered to take steps toward prioritizing your mental health and embracing the power of self-care. Trust me, you’re worth it.

Now it’s your turn to share your voice, Drop a comment below and allow your voice to be heard…Share with me what you are doing to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being