Leadership and Self-Care: How I Learned to Prioritise My Wellbeing
For much of my early years in leadership, I was focused on one thing: building my business and serving others. I poured my energy into my work, believing that to lead effectively, I needed to be constantly giving, constantly doing. Self-care felt like a luxury I simply didn’t have time for. In fact, I convinced myself that taking care of myself was selfish, that my business and the people I served needed me more than I needed to pause.
But what I didn’t realise back then was that by neglecting my own well-being, I was slowly burning out. I was running on empty, pushing myself harder and harder, convinced that if I just kept going, things would eventually fall into place. That was until I hit a wall, a particularly challenging year when exhaustion and overwhelm became my constant companions. I was disconnected from my passion, from the very thing that had once inspired me to lead. It was clear: I needed a change.
The turning point came when I realised something profound: to lead others well, I needed to first lead myself. If I wasn’t taking care of my own energy, my own body, how could I possibly show up as the leader my team and business needed? This was a tough pill to swallow, but it was also the beginning of a beautiful shift. I started prioritising self-care. It wasn’t extravagant or complicated, just simple things like taking walks, meditating for a few minutes each morning, and carving out time to rest. These small practices, these moments of stillness, became my foundation.
What I discovered through this process was nothing short of transformative: when I took care of myself, I showed up as a stronger, more present leader. I had more clarity, more patience, and more energy to serve others. Instead of feeling drained, I felt grounded and replenished.
Now, I understand that self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and spa days (though I won’t deny they’re nice every now and then!). It’s about much more than that. Self-care is about making space for yourself, space to recharge, reflect, and recalibrate. It’s about setting boundaries to ensure that your cup stays full so that you can pour into others without depleting yourself.
If you’re anything like I was, and you’ve been neglecting your own well-being in the name of leadership, I encourage you to take a step back and start with one small change. Here are a few actionable takeaways to help you begin:
Start Small: Choose one self-care practice that you can commit to every day. Maybe it’s 10 minutes of meditation in the morning, journaling your thoughts, or going for a short walk during lunch. These small actions can have a big impact on your overall well-being.
Set Boundaries: One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was how to protect my time. Work can easily bleed into personal time, especially when you’re passionate about what you do. Set boundaries around your time, and make sure you have regular breaks, especially throughout the day. Your work will be more effective when you’re well-rested and focused.
Create Space for Reflection: Self-care is also about finding time to reflect and reconnect with your purpose. Take a few moments each week to step back and reflect on why you do what you do. This will keep your passion alive and remind you of the bigger picture when things get tough.
As leaders, we often put the needs of others before our own. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned on my journey, it’s that we can’t give from an empty cup. We must refill it first. Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential. And when we make time for ourselves, we not only lead better, but we also become more fully present, more balanced, and more aligned with our true purpose.
So, let’s commit to leading ourselves with the same care and attention we give to others. After all, when we take care of ourselves, we show up as the best version of the leaders we were meant to be.
