Dear Busy Women, It's Time to Breathe: Prioritizing Mental Health in a Demanding World
Because You Can't Pour from an Empty Cup….
Life has a way of pulling you in a million directions, doesn't it? Between work deadlines, family commitments, side hustles, church activities, and trying to maintain friendships, it feels like you are always "on." If you are anything like the women that I know and admire, you take pride in being the go-to person, the problem solver, the one who has it all together. But beneath that polished exterior, how are you really doing?
Maybe you're tired. Maybe you're holding it all in, afraid to admit you're overwhelmed. Or maybe, you've convinced yourself this is just how life is supposed to feel. Let me remind you: your mental health is just as important as every item on your to-do list.
Why Mental Health is Non-Negotiable
We've been conditioned to prioritize everyone else. We take care of our families, show up for our teams at work, and serve our communities. But somewhere along the way, we forget that taking care of ourselves is just as vital.
When you neglect your mental health, it doesn't just affect you - it spills over into everything. Your relationships become strained. Your creativity stalls. Your patience grows thin. You might find yourself snapping at the people you love or withdrawing completely. And the longer you push it aside, the harder it becomes to reclaim your peace.
But here's the beautiful thing: you don't have to live like that. You have the power to choose you. To create a life that feels good, not just looks good. To protect your peace as fiercely as you protect everyone else's.
Practical Ways to Protect Your Mental Health
- Create a Morning Ritual for YOU: Start your day with something that fills your spirit. It doesn't have to be long - five minutes to pray, journal, or just sit quietly with your coffee can shift your mindset for the entire day.
- Set Boundaries Without Guilt: It's okay to say no to things that drain you. You are NOT obligated to show up for everything and everybody. Protect your time and energy like the treasure that it is.
- Find a Mental Health Outlet: Whether it is journaling, walking outside, talking to a therapist, find a safe space to release your thoughts. Keeping everything bottled up only makes the load heavier.
- Schedule Rest Like It's a Meeting: Rest is not a reward; it's a requirement. Block out time on your calendar to unplug, even if it's just 30 minutes to sit in silence or read something that brings you joy.
- Surround Yourself with People Who Pour Into You: Life is hard enough without being surrounded by negativity. Find your tribe - friends who uplift you, check on you, and always remind you of your worth.