I hear from women in my communities of their struggle to create consistency and maintain healthy habits and routines that support their emotional and physical wellness. They put a routine into place and start off committed and well intentioned. However, as the week progresses bad habits slowly creep back in and with it a sense of defeat in not being stronger and sticking to the routine.

As I descended slowly beneath the waves releasing the air from my buoyancy jacket, I came to a rest in a Buddha pose hovering above the seabed. I gazed out into the blue, gently swaying in the currents, hearing nothing except my breathing I felt a sense of inner peace, confidence and freedom.

We are taught to not be selfish, to share and to be selfless. It is human nature to nurture and be caring, but we might be sacrificing our own happiness by not taking care of ourselves and doing things we want to do.