Why You Need to Be Good to Yourself

One of the ways we disempower ourselves is to focus on others to the point of neglecting ourselves. Women have traditionally been nurturers, and it is natural for many of us to give, but the problem arises when we take this to the extreme—taking care of our families, bosses, and co-workers and not taking equal time to replenish ourselves. (Some of us even feel selfish when we take time out of our busy schedules to meet our own needs.)

Endless doing for others robs us of our power. In a culture that praises doers, many of us feel uncomfortable just resting and relaxing. Our power lies in our ability to give ourselves the care we would give other people. And, ironically, when we take care of ourselves in this way, the people around us also get our very best.