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Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: How Putting Yourself First Builds Better Relationships

Because prioritizing yourself doesn’t make you a jerk — it makes you a better partner

Alain Suppini
7 min readOct 9, 2024
Photo de Louis Hansel sur Unsplash

Self-care has gotten a bad rap. It’s often dismissed as selfish or self-indulgent, but here’s the truth: taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for your relationships. Why? Because a healthier, happier you brings more to the table — emotionally, physically, and mentally. When you prioritize your own needs, you’re better equipped to support the people you love. So, stop thinking that self-care is selfish. It’s essential.

Why Self-Care Matters More Than You Think

We live in a culture that glorifies overwork, people-pleasing, and “pushing through.” Neglecting your own needs to keep everyone else happy sounds noble, but it’s a fast track to burnout. Here’s a reality check: when you constantly put others first, you deplete your emotional and physical energy. That’s not good for you or your relationships.

Take Laura, for instance. She always prioritized her family and her job over herself, thinking it made her a good wife and mother. But over time, she became so drained that she had nothing left to give. The once-patient, loving woman was replaced by someone…

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Alain Suppini
Alain Suppini

Written by Alain Suppini

Anesthesiologist and Intensive Care Physician passionate about Holistic Medicine and Well-Being.

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