What are the telltale signs that I’m not taking care of myself?

Ria Benedict

I left my job as a high profile government official and attorney to pursue my passion -- establishing I-LOVE-ME, LLC and the i-love-me collection.  This business was created from my own journey to love myself after a life of being a perfectionist, overworking, major health issues, a 6-year unfulfilling marriage (and subsequent divorce), and doing what everyone else wanted me to do and be.  When I started to put ME first, everything in my life changed:  I lost 50 pounds, developed good boundaries with others, learned how to say "no," eliminated the dis-eases that ruled my life, and put my work life in proper perspective.  I also re-established a relationship with my father after 18 years of silence between us.  In short, my gray world turned to color by making one decision to have a better life -- a life I deserved.  Now, I feel grateful for everything that has happened and will happen in my life.

People often asked me what I did to make such a radical change and what I was doing that gave me my new "glow."  Some even said it appeared I had reinvented myself.  It was then that I realized that my story is not unique -- many women suffer from the same neglect that can only happen when she takes care of everyone and everything but herself. 

The i-love-me collection is dedicated to all women who need a reminder or want to be inspired by the message that she is a woman before she is a wife, sister, daughter, mother, friend, or co-worker.  It is an invitation to pursue a life of self-love.  I now have a website that features the successful journeys of other women and seeks to become a place where women can feel supported when they otherwise feel like a team of one. 

BE loving, happy, yourself, free.

Host: What are the telltale signs that I am not taking care of myself?

Ria Moore Benedict: The telltale signs that you are not taking care of yourself include poor reading habits, poor health, depressions, anxiety if you feel a light resentment towards others, you have anger issues, if you basically feel like your life is out of control in any aspect then there is a high probability that you aren t taking care of yourself.