You Matter Too: Why Self-Care Isn’t Optional
In a sector that revolves around care, it’s easy to forget that we are not robots. We are humans with needs, limits, and internal batteries that deplete, often without warning.
When the demands of our roles escalate, many of us push through, thinking we’ll rest later. But later doesn’t always come. And by the time we stop, we are often well into burnout territory.
Self-care is not indulgent. It’s protective. It’s professional. It’s how we make our care sustainable.
The cost of neglecting our own wellbeing is far-reaching. When we keep giving without replenishing, our patience thins, our thinking fogs, and our emotional reserves run dry. It also impacts the quality of care we deliver, the way we relate to our teams and clients, and how we show up in our personal lives.
When we actively manage our energy and wellbeing, we can experience:
● A greater capacity for compassion and connection
● More patience and presence with clients and colleagues
● Sharper critical thinking and renewed creativity
● The ability to mentally switch off and rest after work
● A sense of purpose and ease heading into the workday
● Stronger, more fulfilling personal relationships
We often tell ourselves we're being strong by coping. But real strength is found in being proactive. In recognising our limits and responding with care, not pressure. I often say the goal isn’t to bounce back endlessly from exhaustion - it is to stay well enough not to fall apart in the first place.
Strategies to support sustainable self-care
Take a values-based approach
Let your self-care reflect what truly matters to you. When we connect our choices to our values, we are more likely to prioritise them consistently.
Set emotional boundaries
Caring doesn’t mean carrying everything. Learn to notice when you’ve shifted from being empathic to becoming emotionally overextended. Boundaries protect your capacity to care long-term.
Build frustration tolerance
Sustainable wellbeing requires accepting that some workplace stressors are ongoing. Strengthening your capacity to tolerate frustration allows you to function even when circumstances aren’t ideal.
Create micro-moments of restoration
Self-care doesn’t have to be grand. Small actions—like three slow breaths between appointments or stepping outside into the fresh air and connecting with nature between meetings—can make a real difference.
This is your reminder that caring for yourself is not a luxury. It’s a non-negotiable, critical part of your job, too.
Further Insight
Join me for the next Thriving Sustainably workshop on 8 December where we will explore practical ways to protect your emotional energy and stay well while continuing to do meaningful work.
You can also join my next Thriving Professional Women’s program that begins in February 2026 - register to attend this free Q&A webinar to find out more about this 10-month program.
Upcoming public training programs
relevant previous newsletters you may be interested in…
This is your reminder that caring for yourself is not a luxury. It’s a non-negotiable, critical part of your job, too.