Breaking the Cycle: Why Women (Especially Moms) Need to Stop Putting Themselves Last!

Women are often taught from a young age to be caretakers—to step in when someone is struggling, anticipate needs before they’re voiced, and pour a lot of time and energy into supporting others. And once women become mothers, these instincts intensify. Suddenly, all time, energy, and emotional bandwidth are dedicated to nurturing little humans who rely on you for everything.

It’s beautiful. It’s rewarding—but also exhausting.

Many women, especially moms put themselves at the bottom of their own priority list. Between raising children, managing the household, maintaining relationships, and balancing careers, self-care often becomes an afterthought. We tell ourselves that there’s no time, we’ll rest later, that our needs can wait.

But the truth is, they can’t, and they shouldn’t.

Why Do Women Always Put Others First?

1. Conditioning to Be Caregivers

From a young age, girls are praised for being “helpful,” “nurturing,” and “selfless.” They’re encouraged to take care of siblings, help around the house, and be emotionally available to others. And as they grow older, these expectations turn into even greater responsibilities: supporting partners, raising children, taking care of the home, and even carrying the emotional burden from supporting friends and coworkers.

2. Guilt and the Pressure to “Do It All”

Mothers, in particular, get flooded with messages about what it means to be a “good mom”. Reels on social media feature plenty of seemingly perfect women who manage careers, cook homemade meals, play with their kids, maintain a spotless home, and still make time for self-care.

This unrealistic standard makes many moms feel guilty and selfish for taking a break. If we’re not constantly doing, we worry we’re failing. So, we push through exhaustion instead of prioritizing our own well-being—but self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential.

3. The Invisible Load of Motherhood

Beyond the physical chores and duties, moms also carry an overwhelming mental load. It’s not just caring for kids—it’s remembering doctor’s appointments, packing lunches, organizing playdates, coordinating schedules, planning meals, and anticipating emotional needs.

This mental and emotional load is often invisible, so it’s rarely acknowledged. And since no one is thanking moms for this burden they carry, they often don’t realize its weight—until they’re completely overwhelmed.

If this sounds like you, it’s time to start prioritizing your self-care—therapy could be a powerful way to do that.

Why Therapy is the Best Gift You Can Give Yourself

1. You Deserve Support Too

If a friend came to you overwhelmed, exhausted, and on the verge of burnout, you’d probably encourage them to get help. You’d tell them that they don’t have to do everything alone.

Give yourself the same grace.

Therapy is a space where you don’t have to be the strong one, to keep it all together or worry about taking care of someone else’s emotions. You can just be—and that’s enough.

2. Therapy Helps You Unpack Guilt and Overwhelming feelings

Feeling guilty about taking care of yourself? You’re not alone. Many women struggle with the idea that prioritizing their mental health means they’re being selfish or neglecting others.

Therapy helps you work through these feelings and reframe the way you view self-care. It’s not about taking away from your family—it’s about showing up better for them. Taking care of yourself gives you more patience, energy, and a greater ability to support others.

3. Your Mental Health Affects Your Entire Family

When a mother is stressed, anxious, or emotionally drained, it impacts the whole household. Kids pick up on our emotions more than we realize, and when we’re running on empty, it’s harder to be present. 

Taking care of your mental health isn’t just for you—it’s for your family too. When you feel balanced and supported, you’re better able to handle the ups and downs of parenting.

Therapy can help you learn healthy coping strategies, set boundaries, and find practical ways to lighten your mental load. Therapists can work with you to create sustainable changes that fit your lifestyle.

4. It’s Okay to Ask for Help

Many women believe they have to handle everything on their own. This may come from cultural expectations, fear of judgment, the belief that “no one else can do it like I can,” or because asking for help may feel uncomfortable.

But, you don’t have to do this alone. Therapy is a reminder that you don’t have to carry the weight of everything by yourself. You deserve to have someone listen, validate your experiences, and help you find ways to make life feel more manageable.

How Orion Wellness Can Help

Orion Wellness specializes in helping women—especially moms—navigate the challenges of anxiety, stress, past trauma, and the overwhelming mental load of caregiving. We provide a safe space where you are the priority—a place where you can finally put yourself first without guilt, judgment, or the pressure to hold everything together.

We offer:

• Individual Therapy (both in-person and virtual)

• Tools for Managing Anxiety, Stress, and Overwhelm

• Evidence-based approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

•  Support for Pregnancy & Postpartum Challenges

• A Safe, Judgment-Free Space to Focus on YOU
  

If you’ve been feeling like you’re constantly running on fumes, therapy isn’t just an option—it’s a need! You deserve the same love, care, and attention that you give to everyone else.

You are more than just what you do for others.

At the end of the day, you are more than a caregiver, a mother, a wife, a friend, or an employee. You are a whole person, with needs, desires, and dreams of your own.

Investing in therapy is not selfish—it’s one of the most loving things you can do for yourself. 

Ready to prioritize yourself for once? Book a Session with an Orion Wellness Therapist Today.