Written by Cherise Small
Breaking the Cycle: Why Prioritizing Mental Health Changed Everything – For years, I prided myself on being the person others turned to the problem solver, the leader, the one who always had it together. But behind closed doors, I was struggling with a truth I didn’t want to face: Who was looking out for me while I was looking out for everyone else? Success and ambition drove me, but I reached exhaustion. I was so focused on helping others heal that I overlooked my own burnout. Mental wellness isn’t just something I preach it’s something I had to fight for myself.
My Story: The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything
As a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, entrepreneur, and founder of The Healing Point Therapy and Wellness, I didn’t just start this journey as a career move I built it from my own personal experience of neglecting my needs while constantly showing up for others. As a therapist, entrepreneur, and parent, I gave everything to my work, my family, and my goals. But inside, I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and losing sight of the very passion that drove me in the first place.
There was a moment when I realized that pushing through wasn’t a badge of honor it was a warning sign. I had to change the way I approached success. I had to redefine what it meant to truly thrive. Healing took time. I set boundaries and learned to extend myself the same grace I gave to others.
The biggest shift happened when I finally admitted: that I couldn’t do this alone. It wasn’t easy to ask for help. I had spent years being the one people counted on, the one who held everything together. But I learned that real strength isn’t in suffering silently it’s in choosing to heal openly.
The Silent Struggles We Don’t Talk About
If you’ve ever felt:
- Like you have to be strong for everyone, but no one checks in on you.
- That no matter how much you give, it never feels like enough.
- That slowing down or asking for help makes you feel guilty.
Then you are not alone. I know what it’s like to carry the weight of expectations, to feel like if you pause, everything will fall apart. But the truth is, real strength is knowing when to care for yourself, too.
The Toll of Carrying It All
For years, I put myself last, assuming that my role was to always be the one who showed up for others. I dismissed my own exhaustion because I believed my work was too important to step back from. But neglecting my own mental wellness started affecting everything my clarity, my energy, and even the very passion that led me to this field in the first place.
I spent years believing that self-sacrifice was the price of success. At my breaking point, I finally understood: that caring for myself wasn’t selfish it was necessary. It meant that I was giving myself permission to be human.
I made the difficult but necessary decision to step back and reevaluate how I was showing up for myself. I set boundaries, learned to say no, and made rest a priority. And in doing so, I became a better leader, therapist, and parent not because I was doing more, but because I was finally whole.
What I Learned: The Power of Prioritizing Myself
- Rest Is Productive – Studies from Harvard Health confirm that chronic stress reduces memory retention and decision-making, reinforcing the need for intentional rest. I had to unlearn the idea that rest meant falling behind. It’s the fuel that sustains success.
- Boundaries Are a Form of Self-Respect – I used to think saying no was letting people down. Now, I understand that protecting my energy allows me to show up where I’m truly needed.
- Vulnerability Is a Strength – Being open about my struggles didn’t make me weak it made me human. And it allowed others to do the same.
- Healing Is an Ongoing Journey – It’s not about having everything figured out. It’s about committing to self-care, one choice at a time.
- Your Mental Health Is a Priority, Not an Afterthought – No accomplishment, no goal, and no amount of success is worth sacrificing your peace of mind.
- Asking for Help Is Courageous – There is strength in leaning on others, in finding support, and in recognizing that you don’t have to carry it all alone.
Your Well-Being Starts Now
If you’ve been putting yourself last, it’s time to change that. Your mental wellness is just as vital as your work, your relationships, and your well-being.
I know the weight of carrying it all. But I also know the power of choosing yourself.
The best thing I ever did wasn’t push through exhaustion it was learning to pause, set boundaries, and choose myself without guilt. If you’re struggling, start small take five minutes for yourself, set one boundary, or seek support. Try deep breathing, mindful walks, or journaling, which are small habits that can make a big difference. Even small acts of self-care create lasting change.
Real strength comes from seeking support before burnout happens. You deserve support, and your next step starts now.
You don’t have to do this alone. I invite you to take the first step in prioritizing yourself. Choosing yourself isn’t selfish it’s necessary. Let’s walk this journey together, embracing support and creating a life where you’re cared for just as much as you care for others. Your well-being isn’t optional it’s essential.
- Connect with Cherise Small
- Connect with Krystal Jugarap
- Read More articles from EM/POWEREDbyWMN members.