Prioritizing self-care in a culture of servitude

May 5, 2025

By: Liz Cabrera

Hey everyone,

I’ve been reflecting on why it often feels like I need to hide or feel guilty when I take time for my own well-being.

In helping professions, we are ethically bound to prioritize our clients’ best interests. Given the constant demand for services, this often translates to an expectation of being consistently present and available. We are compensated for our dedication to others, which I find deeply rewarding.

However, this raises a crucial question: what societal shifts are needed so that individuals no longer feel the need to apologize for prioritizing their health and personal needs, even if it’s after attending to everyone else in their household?

This thought was reinforced by a recent visit to urgent care during a rare opening in my schedule. I saw a sign there that highlighted some very concerning behaviors that frontline workers often encounter, yet these experiences frequently go unacknowledged. The fact that this healthcare facility felt compelled to post such a sign suggests these incidents are alarmingly common.

It seems that despite our progress, we still have work to do in managing some of our more basic impulses.

With love, gratitude, and hope,