I remember over 13 years ago being pregnant for the first time. It was a thrilling joyride, as were all of my pregnancies. Watching my body transform as I had a growing baby within me is an experience I can never put into words.

I truly felt beautiful and radiant and was blessed to have such amazing pregnancies that I even remember saying I wouldn’t mind being pregnant my whole life. I felt like a new person.

So much so, that one day I chopped off over 18″ of my hair. LOL. Well, thank god I snapped out of that notion of wanting to be perpetually pregnant. Not practical.

Needless to say, the pregnancies, natural labors and deliveries, breastfeeding, postpartum delirium… I loved it all. And when the next phase ushered in (though there are several), I never thought to myself that I just want to feel comfortable.

Raising children doesn’t mean neglecting yourself. I had my three boys early enough in my life where I knew once they had passed the first decade of their lives, I would still be youthful, and health matters the most to me, mental and physical.

While I can say it’s not the easiest journey, it’s a journey well worth it. Ladies, take care of yourselves, because if you don’t have your health and sanity, you cannot care for others. It’s not being selfish, it’s self-love. When you take care of yourself, your children will witness that. You are the role model. The caregiver. The nurturer. You are everything. And don’t forget that. Sometimes we need to be reminded daily. The best project you can ever work on is yourself! Give yourself some TLC. Health is an investment, not an expense or chore.