Words Dr. Marita Schauch, ND, Tall Tree Integrated Health Centre
Time to Put Yourself at the Top of Your To-Do List
Let’s get honest for a sec: Did you make the cut on your to-do list today? This week? Or even this month? Self-care is often the first thing we cancel when life gets full, but life is always full. We bail on ourselves in favour of deadlines, drama and dishes, promising we’ll “get to it later” because everything else is just so much more urgent.
The truth is, neglecting your self-care doesn’t save time, it steals energy. It chips away at your mood, your health, and your spark. And since July 24 is International Self-Care Day, consider this your gentle but firm nudge to stop ghosting yourself.
Mental Self-Care
Try: Reading something that makes you think, writing just for you, solving a puzzle, learning a new skill, visiting a museum or diving into a creative project.
Physical Self-Care
Try: Moving your body in ways that feel good, eating nourishing food, staying hydrated, stretching, sleeping deeply, or finally booking that appointment with your ND you’ve been avoiding.
Emotional Self-Care
Try: Journaling, venting to a friend, crying, laughing, talking to a therapist, screaming in your car (highly underrated), or simply letting yourself be human.
Spiritual Self-Care
Try: Meditating, praying, walking in nature, watching the sunrise, practising mindfulness, lighting a candle, or listening to music that moves your soul.
Social Self-Care
Try: Calling someone you love, setting healthy boundaries, saying yes to a coffee date or no to a draining commitment. Even alone time counts if it fills your cup.
Practical Self-Care
Try: Tidying your space, making a budget, meal prepping, checking off your to-do list, or finally booking that dentist appointment.
Why Do We Flake on Ourselves?
Because we think everything else is more important. Because we confuse rest with laziness. Because we secretly believe we need to earn it. Here’s the truth:
You don’t need to hit rock bottom to justify a nap.
You don’t need a breakdown to earn a mental health day.
You don’t need to be perfect to be worthy of peace.
Rest is not a reward. It’s part of the work.
One Body. One Life. That’s the Deal.
You wouldn’t buy a car and expect it to run forever without gas, oil changes or the occasional tune-up. Yet somehow, we expect our bodies, minds and hearts to keep going without basic care.
The oxygen mask metaphor might be tired, but it’s still true: you can’t support anyone else if you’re running on empty.
But Dr. Marita, how can I take care of myself when I’m so busy?
I’m not going to give you a 12-step plan or tell you to wake up at 5 a.m. (unless that’s your thing). I’m going to ask you to do one powerful thing: Book an appointment with yourself.
Yep. Open your calendar. Choose a time tomorrow – even 10 minutes – and write down one self-care practice you need most. Block it off. Protect it like you would any other non-negotiable. Then? Show up.
Happy International Self-Care Day!
