Don’t wait until you have a health crisis (such as breast cancer) to make yourself a priority in your own life!

I did and since one in eight of us are diagnosed with breast cancer in our lifetime, I’m sure there are many more women out there who have done it and we want the rest of you to stop!

I know, I know. It sounds selfish and counterproductive.

Just think about this…

If you have ever flown on an airplane, you have heard the routine instructions that “in the event of an emergency, an oxygen mask will drop down from the ceiling.” Then the instructions direct you to put your oxygen mask on first before assisting anyone else. It’s the same in day-to-day life. How can you assist others if you are not getting enough rest, making sure to eat properly, exercise, and schedule downtime to regroup?

When you are picking up the office snacks and always asked to keep the meeting notes because you do such a good job and are so organized, are you surprised your pantry is empty and don’t have time to write a birthday card or even read a magazine?

When you are busy shuttling little ones to soccer and ballet, does it occur to you that the last time you had “fun” was chaperoning the 1^st grade trip to the bowling alley?

When you are picking up another bottle of gentle bubble bath for your children, do you realize that the only time you are near a bathtub is when they are in it?

It feels good to be depended upon, and there are times it is appropriate. But the stress of championing everyone at the expense of yourself is not being selfless…it is just plain unnecessary. Making yourself a priority in your own life does not mean you will abandon what you are doing now (like jetting off to a tropical island, or touring the castles of Europe, although that sounds grand)…I’m suggesting you just adjust the emphasis and intensity. Showing respect and, yes, self-love, models for everyone in your life how you want to be treated because you are demonstrating it for them. I mean taking a bath for the pleasure of it, reading a magazine with a cup of tea in the afternoon sun, putting your feet up for 15 minutes when you come home from work before you start dinner.

After my first breast cancer diagnosis, I couldn’t wait for my life to get back to “normal” along with the rest of my family. The cancer scared me and them. We just wanted to pretend the whole surgery and cancer cells were a dream. It worked for about 2 and a half years. Then IT came back two inches below the previous spot. Another surgery and more cancer cells. This time things were different. I was different. I started creating my version of “normal” and that meant I treated me differently. I tapped into the healing powers of  creativity leaning heavily on my journal writing. Also exploring many other new hands-on activities and discovering the wonderful prescription available at the ends of my fingertips.  I learned to set boundaries, to say “no” and be my own best advocate for my well-being.

That’s what I wanted to share…put self-nurturing in your top 10 on the To Do list every day. Don’t wait until a health crisis forces you to take care of you. You are worth it!

The life you champion should be your own!

***I originally wrote this post in 2012 when I had my second lumpectomy. I had my third lumpectomy this June. It was a rude awakening to the fact I wasn’t taking my own advice.  The past three years have been a rollercoaster of emotions (and that’s without Covid!). And I was the first to abandon myself in order to make sure that everyone around me felt taken care of.  It was as if I felt invincible and had to be Superwoman. 

The shadow on my MRI was evidence that clearly I was neither invincible nor was I  Superwoman. 

My first and second surgeries were followed up with mammograms and MRI scans. The third episode called for more invasive measures and I had to have four weeks of radiation. I was lucky that it was only four weeks. 

I’m thrilled to be able to share with you that this cancer episode has taken me to the task of getting back to being dedicated to walk my talk about self-care.

While I am very much devoted to my loved ones, I love me first. I had made plans to travel and was doing exciting things in my business. Of course, some commitments were shifted because of my third breast cancer treatment. Nothing was canceled. Let me say that again. Nothing was canceled. 

1.  I traveled to the midwest to celebrate my favorite aunts 83rd birthday, and three days later I was grateful that I was there with her when she transitioned into the next world.
2. I finished my last radiation treatment on Friday and Saturday we were on a plane to London.
3. I launched an Amazon best-selling inspirational compilation book three weeks after we got home from our vacation. 
4. I traveled to Portland to be among the main stage speakers at a live women’s conference.
5. I traveled to Denver to participate in a 3-day live women’s connection event.

I choose to live my life doing the things that bring me joy.

Make the life you champion your own!

Graphics credit:  Canva.com