Hello all,

It really hit me this week; how important it is to practice self-care and to do the things I need to do for MYSELF. Throughout my life, I’ve lived on auto-pilot–doing things that others expected of me and constantly living in a position of people pleasing… After graduating with a doctorate degree–I’ve finally entered real life at the age of 25. Adolescence and growing up was tough-suicidal thoughts and constant anxiety starting at the age of 18/19. The pressures of the world and society telling me that my value and my identity were instilled in my grades and my career. I turned to medication–was on it for 6 years and now have been off of it since September of this year. Any who, this is my first post ever about what I’ve gone through and I’m now realizing that I have an obligation to take care of myself and to do the things that are important to manage my mental health and that keep me happy. I may never be a dental practice owner or be a re-knowned lecturer in the dental field –hell I’m probably one of the providers receiving the lowest pay. But its worth it–cause at the end of the day I need to take care of myself and prioritize me–if I don’t who will? and how would I be able to take care of others?