Life Domain: Self · Practice: Support
A couple of years ago, I went to a Labcorp facility for a blood draw. Honestly, I didn’t go because I was concerned about my health—I went because it earned me a discount on my monthly insurance premium.
I don’t mind getting poked with a needle, and a discount is a nice perk. But the truth is, if that incentive hadn’t been there, I probably wouldn’t have gone. That kind of basic self-care just isn’t something I naturally prioritize.
But that visit turned out to be more important than I expected.
I noticed something in my blood work: my platelet count was low. The year before—when I had also done the draw solely for the discount—the same thing showed up. At the time, I brushed it off. But when it happened again, it was clear this wasn’t a one-off. I’ve since been put under care to help prevent my body from destroying too many platelets.
And it hit me: if I hadn’t taken the step to support my health—however reluctantly—I wouldn’t have caught something that needed real attention.
We often treat self-care like a luxury. Like something we’ll get to after we handle everything else. But everything—everything—needs maintenance.
Even your coffee maker.
Over time, the minerals in your water build up inside the machine. The heating and cooling process leaves behind a film, especially in the water well, that affects both function and taste. Descaling isn’t a glamorous task, but it’s necessary. Skip it long enough, and you’ll notice the difference in your cup.
Support isn’t always visible. It’s not flashy. But it makes everything else possible.
This post is part of the Self Domain series. If you’ve been reading along, maybe something’s surfaced—a habit you need to change, a need you’ve ignored, a check-up you’ve postponed.
Are you putting it off? Or are you making a plan to show up for yourself?
Because when you’re supported—when your mind, body, and spirit are healthy—you’re better able to connect with your life and the people in it.
What’s one small thing you can do this week to support yourself?
