How many articles have you read?  How many times have people told you?  "Make sure you take care of yourself."  The struggle is real and it's easier said than done.

You know you need to be healthy and strong to be the best Caregiver, the best Wife, the best Boss, the best Co-worker and more.  If you are like me, putting yourself first is a struggle with feelings of guilt and shame.  

The flight attendant demonstrates the oxygen mask and says, in the event of an emergency you need to put yours on first before putting it on others.   Others will say you can't  pour from an empty cup.

So why do most women break this rule resulting in exhaustion, health issues, stress, and anxiety?   I believe some of it is because of learned habits, experiences and stereotypes.   

If you think about you as a young girl, you most likely developed nurturing and caregiving skills through watching your Mom, Grandma or a female role model.  Then add your experiences of babysitting, taking care of a siblings, doing maternal chores and/or through school activities.  Maybe this sparked other relatable experiences.  It sure it for me.  

 As you grew into a young lady and woman, you continued to learn new skills, grew your identity and personality.   Your nurturing skills took on a new look with that special someone in your life that you eventually married.   Children, nieces, and/or nephews welcomed in a whole new phase of caregiving.  

I found a statement in the book - As Cancer Strikes by Habil Nagag

 "Many woman have been conditioned to strive for this ideal caregiver role.  But many struggle to maintain a picture of the themselves.   If you take responsibility for your spouse's feelings, activities, and his life, he will become dependent and you will become resentful."

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