3 days in the hospital fighting a rather nasty infection, at the site of my insulin pump, gave me plenty of time for self-reflection. My first thought was, is this infection my fault? followed by growing anxiety that I was; a) going to be shamed as a ‘bad diabetic’ and; b) I was about to take on yet another serious health issue.

As my lab results came back, it felt like a can of Pillsbury dough had been popped. It became clear that there were a few issues I’d have do deal with. It all seemed overwhelming. Sudden but not entirely unexpected. I had more questions . This whole event left me wondering how I could emotionally balance my health struggles with my personal goals and obligations. That’s when the concept of self-care really began to resonate with me.

The term might seem self-explanatory. Take a second and think about it, when was the last time you deliberately took a moment to do something for yourself? Often self-care is associated with relaxation and relieving personal stress but it can also be viewed as something you do to maintain your own functionality.

For me, I believe that self-care can be something that creates an opportunity for personal growth, something that helps you reach your full potential, something that helps you to maintain a state of well-bering. It might seem like a daunting task to find the time to engage in an act of self-care especially if you find yourself living with a chronic health issue. I used to feel the same way until I realized that self-care could include remembering to take medication, eating healthy meals, using appointments as opportunities to have honest discussions, and being honest with myself about the emotional impact of dealing with complex health issues. It doesn’t always go smoothly, and there are often obstacles to overcome before any progress is made but viewing the medications and appointments as things I’m doing to take care of myself. Without these things, I likely would not be able to accomplish my goals or maintain my independence.