Secure Your Oxygen Mask First - The Self - Care Lesson Life Keeps Teaching

 One of t he most overlooked but powerful life lessons comes from a simple instruction given before every flight takes off:

“In the event of a loss in cabin pressure, secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others”

At first, it may sound selfish - especially to those of us who are natural caregivers, always putting others first. But the deeper message is profound:

You can’t pour from an empty cup. You can’t save others if you are gasping for air. 

Life, much like a flight, throws turbulence at us - stress, responsibilities, relationships, health issues, emotional exhaustion. And often, we respond by trying to help everyone else cope, while quietly burning ourselves out in the background. 

We run on fumes. 

We suppress our own needs.

We call it strength.

But really, it’s unsustainable. 

There comes a point when helping others at the cost of your own well-being becomes not boble, but damaging. Because what good are we to the people we love if we are exhausted, irritable, anxious, or silently breaking down?

Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish - it’s necessary.

Sometimes, self-care looks like setting boundaries.

Sometimes, it’s saying “NO” without guilt.

Sometimes, it’s asking for help instead of pretending you have it all together. 

And no, the world won’t fall apart if you pause to breathe. 

But you might fall apart if you don’t.

So let’s learn from the skies:

Secure your. Oxygen mask first.

Make sure you are steady, grounded, and breathing fully. 

Only then can you show up for others with clarity, energy, and love.

Self-care isn’t an act of indulgence. It’s an act of preparation. 

It’s how you ensure you’re well enough to keep showing up - not just for others, but for yourself too. 

Because your peace, your health, and your sanity matter. 

Don’t wait for turbulence to realize that.