The Real Reason You Can’t Prioritize Yourself: 4 Limiting Beliefs Holding You Back (And How to Overcome Them)

Hey mama, let’s have an honest chat here for a minute.

Does the thought of taking time for yourself feel impossible some days? Like there’s just no way to squeeze in even a moment of “me time” without sacrificing something important?

I get it. Before I learned how to prioritize myself, I was stuck in the same place—overwhelmed, exhausted, and convinced I had to do it all to be a “good mom.” The problem? Those thoughts weren’t true - I was believing lies that were keeping me stuck.

The thing about limiting beliefs is that they don’t feel like lies when you’re in the thick of it—they feel like facts. You tell yourself, This is just how life is right now. But those thoughts are stealing your joy, draining your energy, and keeping you from showing up as the mom you truly want to be.

If you’ve been putting yourself last because of these beliefs, it’s time to flip the script. Today, we’re tackling the sneaky thoughts holding you back from prioritizing your own needs—and how to replace them with empowering truths.

Let’s get to it, mama.

Limiting Belief #1: "I’m Being Selfish If I Put Myself First"

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt guilty for taking a moment to yourself. Yep, me too. It’s hard not to, especially when the world makes it seem like moms should always put their family’s needs above their own.

But here’s the truth: when you’re running on empty, you can’t give your family the best version of you. Period. You’re more likely to feel extra irritated, lose your patience, or just check out emotionally. Prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s actually the most selfless thing you can do.

Think about it this way: when your car’s gas tank is empty, it doesn’t matter how wonderful the destination is, or how excited you are to get there—you’re not going anywhere unless you stop to refuel first. The same goes for motherhood. You can’t keep running on empty and expect to fully enjoy the journey. Your needs aren’t some extravagant luxury—they’re the fuel that keeps you moving, helps you handle the bumps in the road, and lets you actually savor the moments that matter most.

How to Turn It Into Your Superpower:

• Shift Your Mindset: Think of self-care as fuel for showing up as the mom you want to be. Self-care makes you more patient, more present, and more energized for the people who matter most.

• Start Small: Just five minutes to enjoy a hot cup of coffee, stretch, or breathe deeply can do wonders. Self-care doesn’t have to be a spa day—it can be a simple small moment that recharges you.

• Reframe Guilt: Ask yourself, Would I want my kids to grow up believing their needs don’t matter? (obviously not!) When you model self-care, you’re teaching them to value their own well-being too.

Try this today: Give yourself permission to take just five minutes. Whether it’s sipping your coffee without distractions, stepping outside for some fresh air and sunshine, or listening to your favourite song, start with something simple. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel!

Limiting Belief #2: "I Have to Get Everything Else Done First"

“If I can just finish the laundry, clean the kitchen, and organize the toy closet, then I’ll take a break.” Sound familiar?

The problem with this mindset? The to-do list never ends. As soon as you cross one thing off, another one pops up. And before you know it, weeks—or even months—go by without you taking a single intentional moment for yourself. (not cool!)

Here’s the truth: the world won’t fall apart if the dishes wait an extra hour (I promise). But, if you keep waiting until everything is done, you’ll more than likely burn out before you get there.

How to Turn It Into Your Superpower:

• Make Self-Care Non-Negotiable: Add “me time” to your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth. Think of it as a task that’s just as important as anything else on your list.

• Set Boundaries: It’s okay to let the dishes sit while you take a 10-minute walk or read a chapter of your favourite book. Your chores can wait—your well-being shouldn’t.

• Ask for Help: If there’s just too much on your plate, delegate. Your partner, kids, or even a friend can pitch in to help lighten the load. There’s no shame in asking for help, mama.

Practical tip: Schedule your self-care like you would a doctor’s appointment. Write it in your planner, set a timer, and treat it as a commitment you can’t miss.

Limiting Belief #3: "I Won’t Be Able to Stick to It Anyway"

We’ve all been there, haven’t we, mama? You set out with the best intentions: journaling every day, taking a bubble bath once a week, or carving out time to just breathe. And for a while, it feels great. But then life happens—kids get sick, laundry piles up, or you’re just too tired to follow through. Suddenly, it feels like you’ve “failed,” and the cycle of frustration begins.

But here’s the truth: success isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s not about checking every box or sticking to a routine without missing a single day. Real consistency is about showing up, even when it’s messy, imperfect, or inconvenient. It’s not the one missed day that defines you—it’s the decision to keep going the next day that truly matters.

So let go of the idea that self-care has to be all or nothing. It’s about the journey, not the destination. Each small step forward, no matter how tiny, is a victory worth celebrating.

How to Turn It Into Your Superpower:

• Redefine Your Definition of Success: Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on progress. Did you do something for yourself today? Awesome - that’s a win!

• Anchor Your Habits: Make self-care a natural part of your day by tying it to something you already do. For example, while your coffee brews, take a minute to stretch, or use your evening skincare routine as a time to practice gratitude. By pairing self-care with your existing habits, it becomes easier to remember and seamlessly fits into your daily life. 

• Celebrate the Small Wins: Every little effort counts. Did you take a deep breath before responding to a tantrum? Or take 5 minutes to do a quick stretch when you woke up in the morning? That’s self-care, mama! 

Try this exercise: Write down one tiny habit you can start today. It could be as simple as drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning. Commit to that one thing and build from there.

Limiting Belief #4: "I Don’t Have Time"

Ah, the classic mom mantra. If I had a dollar for every time I said, “I don’t have time,” I could probably hire my own personal chef and a housekeeper! But let’s get real for a second: time isn’t the problem—it’s how we choose to prioritize it (harsh truth, I know).

When you believe there’s no room for you in your own schedule, you’ll always find ways to stay “too busy.” Whether it’s folding laundry, responding to that text, or scrolling Instagram for “just a minute,” the day fills up fast. But here’s the truth—you don’t need to carve out massive blocks of time to take care of yourself. Self-care isn’t about finding extra hours in the day; it’s about being intentional with the moments you already have.

Think of it this way: even a few minutes spent doing something just for you can recharge your energy and reset your mindset. It’s not about quantity—it’s about quality.

How to Turn It Into Your Superpower:

• Use Small Pockets of Time: Five minutes while the kids play, a quiet moment after bedtime—these little breaks add up. Use them to your advantage! 

• Batch and Delegate: Can someone else handle a chore or two? Freeing up even 10 minutes while your partner does the dishes, or helps the kids get jammies on can be a game-changer.

• Focus on What Matters Most: Think about how you want to feel at the end of the day. Then make time for the things that bring you closer to that feeling.

Try this: Set a timer for 5 minutes and do something just for you. Whether it’s a quick stretch, jotting down your thoughts, or sipping tea, you’ll be amazed at how refreshing those minutes can be.

Mama, your needs matter—now more than ever. When you challenge these limiting beliefs and choose to put yourself back on the priority list, you’re not just changing your life—you’re setting an example for your family. You’re showing your kids that it’s okay to take care of yourself, that your well-being matters, and that joy doesn’t have to come at the expense of exhaustion.

But here’s the thing: breaking free from these beliefs doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about taking small, intentional steps every day. It’s about learning to recognize when those sneaky thoughts pop up and having simple strategies to keep them from holding you back.

If you’re ready to dive deeper and take action, I’ve created something just for you. Me-Time Made Easy is my mini self-care course designed specifically for busy moms like you. In the course, we tackle these limiting beliefs head-on and explore quick, actionable ways to make self-care fit seamlessly into your day—even on the busiest ones. You’ll walk away with simple tools and easy wins that leave you feeling refreshed, more balanced, and ready to tackle mom life with confidence.

Because, mama, you deserve to feel good, and it’s possible to make that happen without overwhelm or guilt.

Click here to learn more about Me-Time Made Easy and take the first step toward creating the balance and joy you deserve. You’ve got this! 💖