Lost in the Chaos, Finding My Way Back to Me

Taking Time for Yourself: The Self-Care We Can’t Afford to Forget

As parents, caregivers, or just busy humans navigating life, it's so easy to put ourselves last. We spend so much time making sure everyone else is okay that, before we know it, we’ve gone days without truly checking in on ourselves. And I’ll be the first to admit—I’ve been guilty of this more times than I can count.

I get so wrapped up in taking care of Ermias, keeping up with responsibilities, and making sure everything runs smoothly that I forget about me. Not on purpose, but because my brain convinces me that everything else is more important. By the time I realize it, I’m running on fumes, and the thought of doing something for myself feels selfish. But deep down, I know that’s not true.

The Simple Things Aren’t Self-Care

There are days when I remind myself, “Okay, take care of you,” and my response to myself is: I showered today, I brushed my hair, I brushed my teeth. That counts, right? But the truth is, those things are just basic care—they aren’t the kind of self-care that fills my cup or reminds me that I exist outside of my responsibilities.

Getting dressed even when I have nowhere to go? That’s just maintaining myself. Self-care is something more. It’s something that feels like a little gift to myself, a moment where I acknowledge that I matter, too.

Finding Something Just for Me

I’ve been thinking about what self-care truly looks like for me, and honestly? Even this blog has become a small form of it. It’s the one thing I’m doing purely because I enjoy it, not because I have to. It gives me a space to reflect, to express myself, and to show up for me in a way that I often forget to.

Beyond writing, I’m trying to find other little things—listening to music I love, making a cup of tea and actually drinking it while it’s warm, stretching for a few minutes instead of rushing to the next task. These things may seem small, but they remind me that I deserve moments of care just as much as anyone else.

A Reminder for You (and Me)

So, if you’ve been putting yourself on the back burner too, consider this your reminder: Do something just for you. Not because it’s necessary, not because it’s productive, but because you deserve it. Even in the storm of daily life, you are worth a moment of peace, a moment of joy, a moment that is yours and yours alone.

What does self-care look like for you? I’d love to hear how you make time for yourself, even in the busiest seasons of life. Let’s talk in the comments!