Korean Expat Community for National Disasters

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We live in a world where exhaustion is glorified, sacrifice is expected, and saying “yes” too often becomes a badge of honor. Somewhere along the way, taking care of ourselves started to feel… selfish.

But here’s the truth: putting yourself first isn’t selfish—it’s survival.

We’ve been taught to serve, to give, to be available for everyone but ourselves. The image we carry is often like the one above—someone sits high and comfortable, while another silently carries the weight. Maybe you've been the one bowing down to everyone’s needs, expectations, and demands. Maybe you've forgotten how to say "enough."

Self-care is not about neglecting others. It’s about refusing to neglect yourself.

It’s choosing to say:

• “I need rest” without guilt.

• “I can’t help right now” without shame.

• “I matter too” without apology.

When we ignore our own needs, resentment grows, energy drains, and joy fades. But when we refill our own cup, we gain the strength to pour into others from a place of wholeness—not depletion.

Self-care is boundaries. It’s permission. It’s power.

So next time the world tells you to “keep going,” ask yourself: at what cost?

Put yourself on your own list. Not last. Not when everything is done. Now.

Because the most revolutionary act in a world that expects your silence, servitude, or self-sacrifice… is to choose you.