The Celebratory Collection

  As I continue my series, Learning to Believe You Deserve Good Things, I want to talk about something that has been difficult for me: setting boundaries without feeling guilty. For a long time, I believed that saying “no” made me selfish or mean. I worried that people would become angry, stop loving me, or think differently about me. Because of what I experienced in the past, I learned to put everyone else’s feelings and needs before my own. I became used to keeping the peace—even when it meant losing my own peace. When you have spent years being made to feel as though your feelings do not matter, setting boundaries can feel wrong. You may feel guilty for choosing yourself, protecting your energy, or walking away from something that hurts you. But I am learning that the guilt I feel does not mean I am doing something wrong. Sometimes, it simply means I am doing something new. Boundaries Are Not Punishment A boundary is not about punishing someone or controlling what they do. It is...

  Part of my “Learning to Believe You Deserve Good Things” series During my childhood, I was told that I wasn’t worth anything. I heard hurtful words about who I was, what I deserved, and what I would become. When you hear those things repeatedly—especially from people who are supposed to love and protect you—they can become the voice inside your own head. I didn’t just hear those words. I grew up believing them. I began to believe that I wasn’t good enough. I believed I didn’t deserve nice things, happiness, love, or peace. Whenever I tried to choose something good for myself, I felt guilty. I questioned whether I deserved it. Even when something positive happened, part of me waited for it to disappear because I had been taught not to expect good things. Those childhood words followed me into adulthood. They affected how I saw myself, the choices I made, and what I accepted from other people. Sometimes I stayed quiet when I should have spoken up. Sometimes I put everyone else befo...

  Today, I’m beginning a new series about something many of us struggle with: learning to believe we deserve good things. You may wonder why anyone would have difficulty believing they deserve happiness, love, peace, success, or kindness. But when you have experienced abuse, trauma, rejection, or years of being made to feel like you don’t matter, believing you deserve something good can be difficult. Sometimes, the hardest part of healing isn’t recognizing what hurt you. It’s learning to believe you are worthy of something better. When You’ve Been Taught You Don’t Deserve More For a long time, I was made to feel like I didn’t matter. I was told and shown that I didn’t deserve nice things or good experiences. Eventually, those hurtful messages became thoughts I repeated to myself. Even when I had an opportunity to do something for myself, I often felt guilty. Instead of enjoying it, I questioned whether I deserved it. I felt like taking care of myself was selfish and that spending t...

  For a long time, self-care did not feel natural to me. It felt selfish. It felt uncomfortable. Sometimes, it even made me feel guilty. My abuser made me believe that I did not matter. I was told—through words and actions—that I did not deserve nice things, good experiences, happiness, or peace. After hearing those messages for so long, I began to believe them. Even when my abuser was not speaking, their voice continued to live inside my head. Whenever I thought about doing something for myself, that voice would return: You don’t need that. You don’t deserve that. Why are you spending time or money on yourself? You should be doing something for someone else. Those words affected the way I saw myself. I became used to putting everyone else first while ignoring my own needs. I could show love, patience, and kindness to other people, but I struggled to give those same things to myself. When Self-Care Came With Guilt There were times when I wanted something as simple as a new outfit, ...

 Self-care has become an important part of my healing journey. For a long time, I was so focused on surviving, helping others, and making it through each day that I sometimes forgot to care for myself. Now, I am learning that taking care of myself is not selfish—it is one of the most meaningful ways I can celebrate myself. That is why I created these new “Self-Care Is How I Celebrate Me” hoodies for The Celebratory Collection. Why I Chose This Message The message on these hoodies is personal to me. Self-care is about more than getting your hair done, buying something new, or taking a relaxing bath. Those things can be wonderful, but self-care can also mean: Protecting your peace Setting healthy boundaries Taking a break without feeling guilty Going to therapy or asking for help Walking away from things that hurt you Speaking kindly to yourself Celebrating how far you have come Every time we choose to care for ourselves, we are saying, “I matter. My needs matter. My he...

Some days, taking care of yourself feels natural. Other days, simply getting out of bed, answering a message, or deciding what to eat can feel overwhelming. When anxiety is loud, depression feels heavy, or your emotions become difficult to manage, self-care may look very different—and that is okay. Self-care on a hard mental-health day is not about forcing yourself to be positive or pretending everything is fine. It is about treating yourself gently while you make it through the moment. You do not have to fix your entire life today. Sometimes, the goal is simply to care for yourself enough to reach tomorrow. Start With Your Basic Needs When your mind is overwhelmed, return to the basics. Ask yourself: - Have I had anything to drink? - Have I eaten something today? - Have I taken my prescribed medication? - Do I need a shower, fresh clothes, or more rest? You do not have to prepare a full meal or complete a long routine. Drink a glass of water. Eat something simple. Wash your face if a ...

  Self-care does not always have to mean spending money, taking an entire day off, or doing something extravagant. Sometimes, it means slowing down, checking in with yourself, and choosing one small thing that makes you feel supported. Here are 30 practical ways to care for and celebrate yourself every day. Morning Self-Care Begin your morning with a positive affirmation. Remind yourself that you are worthy, capable, and deserving of a peaceful day. Drink a glass of water when you wake up. It is a simple way to refresh your body and begin the day by caring for yourself. Give yourself a few quiet minutes. Before checking your phone, take time to breathe, pray, meditate, or gather your thoughts. Make your bed. Completing one small task can help you feel accomplished and create a calmer space. Mind and Mood Check in with your emotions. Ask yourself, “How am I really feeling today?” without judging the answer. Write down three things you are grateful for. T...

Welcome back to my Self-Care Series! Today, I want to talk about something many of us struggle with: feeling guilty for taking care of ourselves. For a long time, I believed that putting myself first meant I was being selfish. I was always worried about what everyone else needed, how everyone else felt, and whether I was doing enough for the people around me. Meanwhile, I was emotionally and mentally exhausted. One of the biggest lessons I have learned during my healing journey is that self-care is not selfish—it is necessary. You Cannot Keep Pouring From an Empty Cup When you constantly give your time, energy, and love to everyone else without taking care of yourself, you eventually become drained. You may start feeling overwhelmed, irritated, anxious, depressed, or completely burned out. Resting does not mean you are lazy. Setting boundaries does not mean you are mean. Saying “no” does not mean you do not care. Sometimes those choices are exactly what you need to protect your peace a...

I took some time away from blogging because sometimes you have to step back, breathe, and give yourself the same care you encourage others to receive. But I’m back, and I’m excited to begin a new series about something that has become an important part of my healing journey: self-care. Why Self-Care Should Be a Priority Self-care is not selfish. It is necessary. Many of us spend so much time caring for our children, families, friends, jobs, and responsibilities that we forget about ourselves. We continue giving even when we feel mentally, physically, and emotionally drained. But you cannot continue pouring into everyone else without taking time to refill your own cup. Making yourself a priority does not mean you do not care about other people. It means you understand that your well-being matters, too. Self-care can help you slow down, manage stress, protect your peace, and reconnect with yourself. It can also give you the strength and energy you need to handle your daily responsibiliti...