Taking care of myself means knowing what’s good for me and what’s not. It means being intentional about what I spend time and energy on. This applies to everything, from activities, to what I buy, to relationships. I have been attending less social events because of my need for solo project time. I have intentionally let go of relationships that were more draining than energizing. I have told friends in need that I’m not able to offer them support because I was going through my own emotional challenges. I have a natural desire to make people happy, so this has been one of the most difficult practices for me. And I know that in putting my needs first, I can ultimately show up better for others.