What’s your excuse for not prioritising yourself?

Take that first step towards self-care today

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Picture this: You’re mentally prepared and strong enough to pursue your dreams. You have all the solutions to your problems. You have guidance. You have the resources. You know the path. Opportunities are knocking at your door. You know exactly what to do. But…

But…

When your mind is willing, your body is not.

Do you know how painful that is? It’s like having wings to fly, to taste freedom soaring high in the sky, but you’re caged.

You feel trapped under the weight of your own body. Suffocating. Struggling even to breathe. Trust me, it’s not a good place to be.

I’ve been there, but I’m not there anymore. And that’s why I’m asking you today—what’s your excuse for not prioritizing yourself?

A little backstory

If you’ve been following my writing for at least a year, you can skip this part. For those of you who are new, here’s a bit about my journey so far.

I’ve been living with an autoimmune condition (ITP) for over a decade now, which keeps my platelet count low and fluctuating.

Growing up, I was a clean eater (thanks to my amma’s homemade dishes that are truly to die for!). After my diagnosis, I made a conscious effort to remove refined flour and white sugar from my diet.

I don’t travel much—I’m a homebody at heart—and I prioritize sleep. These changes helped keep me afloat, allowing me to avoid daily medications, though I still had to rely on steroids for certain medical procedures.

While managing to avoid severe bleeding episodes was a victory, fatigue and bruises remained constant companions. So, I was there, but still not quite there.

I thought I was managing decently, but I also got caught in the rat race of materialistic pursuits. From being a Math tutor to building a career as a freelance writer, the journey had me trying my hand at various things (more about it here!). Amidst all of this, I neglected movement.

Gradually, as I got more entangled in the hustle, it became harder to break free. The result? Increased fatigue, constant numbness and tingling in my feet and arms, brain fog, vitamin D and B12 deficiencies, and repeated fungal infections (which meant staying away from swimming for a while).

Somewhere along the way, a voice inside me started to grow louder, like a warning cry: If not now, then never.

Despite being blessed with a meditation journey that helped me heal emotionally and grow spiritually, I neglected the physical aspect. And as I said earlier, I felt like a bird having wings to fly, to taste freedom soaring high in the sky, but caged. I felt like a caged bird.

No matter how many excuses I made—blaming circumstances or people as triggers—I always knew the truth: I was to blame. I wasn’t prioritizing myself.

While I always found time for others, I never made time for myself. I thought self-care was a luxury, but in reality, it’s a basic need and right.

I felt guilty when I took time for myself, and this created a vicious cycle: not giving time to myself, getting unwell, feeling guilty, trying to focus on myself, and again feeling guilty for doing so.

It took a lot of mental strength to prioritize myself, and I’m sure many women out there can relate. We’re conditioned to put others before ourselves, but it’s time we break that pattern.

Feeling trapped in my own body was a burden beyond my understanding, and I knew I had to start somewhere, somehow. So, I joined the 21-day Yoga Challenge with Habuild to hold myself accountable for prioritizing my health—and I’m so glad I did.

Today, I can do whatever I wish. Brain fog has given way to focus, allowing me to overcome distractions and engage more in what I enjoy. I’ve returned to creating artwork and reading books, along with working on a book I’m co-authoring.

I feel both energetic and calm, and honestly, what more can I ask for than the ability to do what I love on my own terms?

From my Habuild dashboard: Yaay! I did it!

Why did Habuild work?

Let me be honest: it was a free 21-day session, so registering was an easy first step.
It had flexible timings, with six batches a day and the option to join any of them—even multiple times a day.
The program was well-structured and beginner-friendly. The focus was on habit-building (hence the name Habuild), showing up every day, and moving, rather than exhausting yourself with strenuous exercises or getting lost in yoga philosophies.
The variation in exercises kept me coming back with curiosity.
There was no need to be on camera—just focus on the practice.
Sessions started and ended on time, with regular notifications about upcoming sessions.
The accountability aspect, in the form of tracking attendance, was motivating. Seeing my progress felt like a reward, tricking my mind into staying consistent.
The instructors had a friendly demeanour, always offering encouragement.
Additionally, there were sessions on habit-building, diet, and sleep—making the whole experience holistic and sustainable with small tweaks to our everyday lives.
Journaling about my journey here along with seeing results in just one week kept me motivated to keep going.

Key Takeaways

Feeling healthy encompasses your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. These are the four pillars of health.
Prioritizing your health is your right. It’s not a luxury; it’s a basic need.
You can have all the luxuries life has to offer, but if your health isn’t in a good state, those luxuries will mean nothing—no true pleasure.
Prioritize movement, regardless of your age or ability.
When you feel healthy, you think clearly, make better decisions, and accomplish tasks more effectively.
Only you can be there for yourself, and only you can take the necessary steps to care for yourself.

And that’s why I’m asking you once again—what’s your excuse for not prioritizing yourself?

Disclaimer

This is NOT a paid promotion, and I am in no way affiliated with Habuild Yoga.

Gratitude Note

Thank you for following me through this 21-day challenge (the journey doesn’t end here) and holding me accountable by reading, and to those of you who joined me in the challenge.

Seeing the benefits of this, I’ve opted for their annual subscription (it’s incredibly affordable and totally worth it—sharing the details here, but again, this is not a paid promotion).

What made me even happier is that a few of the people who joined the challenge with me have also subscribed, and it felt so fulfilling when they expressed their gratitude for me introducing them to this.

Well, this is what I aim for as a writer—spreading value and connection, and I am truly happy I could. I’m equally grateful for everything and everyone along this journey. Thank you.

If you wish, you can give it a try with their 14-day free Yoga session by clicking here.