In a world that constantly demands our attention, energy, and commitment to everything but ourselves, choosing to prioritize our own well-being can feel like a rebellious act. We’re often taught that selflessness is the highest virtue—that success is measured by how much we give to others, how many tasks we complete, or how productive we are. In this context, choosing yourself—your needs, your desires, your self-care—is not just an act of self-love, it’s a radical act of defiance.

Why Choosing Yourself Feels Radical

For many, the idea of choosing yourself is met with resistance. Society has ingrained the idea that prioritizing oneself is selfish, even though we know deep down that we can’t pour from an empty cup. But think about it: when was the last time you unapologetically took time just for you? To breathe, to recharge, to indulge in something that brings you joy without guilt or external validation?

Choosing yourself means acknowledging that you are worthy of your own time and energy. It’s saying that your needs are valid, your boundaries are important, and your happiness is worth the effort. It’s about breaking free from the constant noise telling you that you need to do more, be more, and give more.

 

The Power of Radical Self-Care

Self-care is not just about lighting a candle or taking a bubble bath (though those are great). It’s about reclaiming control over how you spend your energy and honoring your physical, emotional, and mental health. Radical self-care means that even when the world tells you to keep pushing, to hustle harder, to grind—it’s okay to say, “No, I need this time for me.”

This act of choosing yourself becomes even more radical when you do it consistently. When you create space in your life for rest, joy, and rejuvenation, you are pushing back against a culture that glorifies burnout and exhaustion.

 

Choosing Yourself Empowers Others

Surprisingly, choosing yourself isn’t just about you—it has a ripple effect on the people around you. When you prioritize self-care and set healthy boundaries, you set an example for others to do the same. It encourages the people in your life to honor their own needs, creating a culture of mutual respect and empowerment.

Choosing yourself allows you to show up more fully in your relationships, work, and community. Instead of feeling drained and resentful, you become more capable of giving authentically because you’ve first filled your own cup.

 

Embracing the Radically Personal

At Mohada, we believe in the radical power of self-care. But more importantly, we believe that self-care is personal. Your rituals, your relaxation, your indulgence—it’s all yours to define. Whether you relax with a book, a podcast, or even a horror movie while soaking in the bath, what matters is that you’re choosing yourself.

So, the next time you feel guilty for taking that extra hour for yourself, or turning off your phone, or saying “no” to something that doesn’t serve you, remember this: it’s a radical act to choose yourself—and it’s worth it.

Because at the end of the day, no one else can take care of you the way you can.

 

Inspired by the moving article in ELLE Magazine:

Could Radical Pleasure Fix My Relationship?