54. The Top Reasons We Skip Self-Care (and How to Stop)

The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN

Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕

Are you stuck in the “someday” trap when it comes to self-care? In this episode of The Nurses Break Room with Jenny Lytle, RN, Jenny tackles the four most common excuses that keep caregivers, nurses, and busy people from taking time for themselves — and shows you simple, guilt-free ways to break the cycle.

Discover how to fit self-care into your schedule, even when you’re short on time, money, or energy. Learn why putting yourself first is actually the best way to care for others, and how to create a personalized self-care menu that makes it easy to take action anytime.

You’ll learn:

• The #1 mindset shift that makes self-care possible in any season of life
• How to find micro-moments for yourself without rearranging your whole day
• Free (and powerful) self-care ideas that work for every personality
• Why self-care isn’t selfish — and how to let go of the guilt
• How to create a ready-to-use “self-care menu” you can turn to instantly

Whether you’re a nurse, caregiver, or just someone who’s always putting others first, this episode will help you start caring for yourself now — not later.

✅ Takeaways & Action Steps

Takeaways:

• Self-care is essential, not optional, for sustainable caregiving and living well.
• Lack of time or money doesn’t have to stop you — small, free actions matter.
• Guilt is misplaced — caring for yourself benefits everyone you support.
• Planning self-care ahead of time makes it easier to follow through.

Action Steps:

1. Write down 3–5 quick self-care activities that take 5 minutes or less.
2. Add 3–5 free or low-cost activities you genuinely enjoy.
3. Keep your “self-care menu” somewhere you can see daily.
4. Use pockets of time for intentional self-care instead of mindless scrolling.
5. Revisit and update your list every few months as your needs change.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like there’s never enough time, I’ve got something just for you! Head to https://selfcareisntselfish.com to grab your FREE copy of my book, Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: The Compassionate Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Personalized Stress Relief. It’s packed with simple, effective strategies to help you prioritize your needs—without guilt—so you can feel energized, focused, and ready to take on the day. Go to https://selfcareisntselfish.com

Looking for connection with people who get the stress and self-care struggles of nurses and caregivers? Check out https://thenursesbreakroom.com

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylytlern/
More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

Розділи

1. 54. The Top Reasons We Skip Self-Care (and How to Stop) (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to Nurses Break Room (00:00:58)

3. Challenge: "I Don't Have Time" (00:01:25)

4. Myth: "Self-Care Costs Too Much" (00:03:06)

5. Excuse: "Others Need Me More" (00:04:39)

6. Creating Your Self-Care Menu (00:06:48)

7. Taking Action and Final Thoughts (00:10:22)