We live in a world where stress, anxiety and worry are all part of our daily routine.

We live in a world where guilt plays a big part in our life, especially when it comes to self-care.

We live in a world where someone is always worse off. When you are tired, or need to stop for a while, someone is there telling you they wish they had it as easy as you do, and they “haven’t sat down since 1976”.

We live in a world where we don’t know what to worry about next. Should it be the cost of living crisis?

The war and its effects? Global warming and the long term damage to our world?

Pandemic? That bill to pay at home? The pressure of your job or bills to pay at work?

Keeping up with work demands? Not being in touch with the friend who is always there for you.

Keeping the kids entertained? Getting dinner on the table? Keeping up with the WhatsApp group? To go to the gym? Lose that weight you have put on? Put on that weight you have lost?

We live in a world of guilt. If you do take time to yourself – that much-needed sit down, glass of wine, cup of tea, nap….should we have done that when we have so much to do? There’s the “worse off” person again tutting at you for even considering some self-care!

I grew up in a world of business, where you just keep working, no matter the time of day or night.

The phone always gets answered, the email always gets responded too, and if you do stop, the guilt is upon you, because that’s just what you do.

This wasn’t the people around me who told me this or made me feel this way, it’s just what I assumed was a must.

I worked weekends, New Years, bank holidays, to the point where I would sleep for 16 hours when the day “off” rolled around. I didn’t think stopping was an option.

Since reaching my 30s, I realise you do have a choice. You do deserve that day off, that evening with your emails switched off, that glass of wine, that night out, and all the guilt I felt wasn’t true or real.

Remember, you do deserve the rest.

So, take the time for yourself, have that nap, book a night with friends, enjoy that day out and don’t take it on board if anyone tells you otherwise. Take time for yourself. You deserve it.