Self-Care: Where Do You Feature on Your Own List of Priorities?
- Kim Sweetland Hypnotherapy
- Sep 1
- 2 min read
Life has a habit of filling itself up, doesn’t it?
Work, children, caring for family, supporting friends, keeping the household running, volunteering, or being part of organisations… our days can feel like a never-ending “to-do” list. From the moment the alarm goes off until our head hits the pillow, we’re often moving from one responsibility to the next.
But if you were to write down all of your priorities right now, honestly, where would you feature on that list? Near the top? Somewhere in the middle? Or perhaps right at the bottom, an afterthought to be squeezed in “when there’s time” (which, let’s face it, there rarely, if ever, is).
Here’s the tricky bit: when we consistently put ourselves last, our own needs can become so unfamiliar that we don’t even recognise them anymore. And that leaves us running on empty.
Think of the well-known airplane analogy: “put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others.” It makes total sense in an emergency, but really, the same principle applies to everyday life. You simply can’t pour from an empty cup.
When you make self-care a priority:
You feel calmer, more grounded, and more “you.”
You have more energy for the people and things that matter most.
You set a healthy example to those around you (including little ones who learn from watching how we treat ourselves).
And here’s the surprising bit: looking after yourself isn’t selfish, it’s actually the opposite. When you’re feeling good, confident, and recharged, everyone benefits.
A few small self-care shifts you can try right now:
Take ten minutes each day just for yourself, even if it’s simply enjoying a quiet cup of tea without your phone.
Move your body in a way that feels good, whether that’s a walk, a dance around the kitchen, or a stretch before bed.
Swap one “should” on your list this week for something you want to do.
Notice how you speak to yourself, would you say those same words to a friend?
For more quick and easy ideas on self-care, why not have a look at the Self-Care September calendar kindly provided by our friends at Action for Happiness. Giving you a whole months of tips and ideas for this month to get you started.
And if you’d like a little more support in building self-care into your life, hypnotherapy sessions can be a gentle yet powerful way to boost wellbeing, confidence, and resilience. My September sessions are now open to book, and I’d love to help you put yourself back on your own list of priorities.
Because when you take care of yourself, you’re not just investing in you, you’re giving the very best of yourself to those around you too. Everybody wins.
Warmest wishes,
Kim
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