Put Your Mask On First

You hear it on every flight, without fail: put your oxygen mask on before assisting others.
It’s simple. Logical. Non-negotiable.

And yet, when it comes to real life, we do the exact opposite.

We run on full steam, convincing ourselves that anything that brings us joy can wait. Self-care quietly drops off the list because on paper it looks less important than work deadlines, family logistics, school runs, meals, and the never-ending to-do list. We tell ourselves we’ll get to it “later”.

December is almost over, and I had a moment of uncomfortable honesty with myself: I hadn’t done a single thing just for me.

Not one.

So this Saturday, I decided to change it. I had to stay over the weekend in Barcelona, which turned out to be an unexpected gift. Instead of filling the day with errands or rushing from place to place, I chose to play what I now call a relaxed tourist. No agenda. No optimization. Just space.

On a whim, I booked a massage at Bali Spirit Luxury Art Spa (https://balispirit.es) with barely two hours’ notice (proof that the universe sometimes cooperates). The place was stunning — from the decor to the service, everything felt intentional. The rooms were spacious, calm, designed to make you breathe slower the moment you walked in. I had one of the best massages I’ve had in a long time, thanks to Aleksandra. I walked out refreshed, lighter, and yes, even my face looked less puffy. We take those wins.

After that, I wandered into Corgi Cafe (https://corgicafe.es). Yes, there’s an adorable little dog casually walking around, making everyone smile, but beyond the cuteness, the food and coffee were genuinely excellent. Not a novelty, not Instagram bait. Just really good.

Then I did something radical: I walked ;)

I strolled through the streets of Barcelona, watching people talk, laugh, linger. I admired the way socializing here isn’t rushed, how connection seems built into the culture. The weather helped — sunny and 17 degrees in mid-December, but honestly, the real luxury was time. No rushing. No guilt-fueled multitasking.

Okay, almost no guilt. My husband and little boy were back home, and that familiar tug was there. But I also realized something else: I don’t remember the last time I made an entire day about myself. No one needed me. Nothing was on fire. The world didn’t collapse.

And because this is real life, not a wellness retreat, I’ll share one last thing: Sephora’s Patchology eye gels (https://www.sephora.co.uk/p/patchology-serve-chilled-on-ice-firming-eye-gels-P10049425). The instructions say “serve chilled on ice”, which sounds dramatic until you try it. Five minutes later, my eyes looked like I’d slept eight hours. I hadn’t, but I looked like I had, and that counts.

Putting your mask on first isn’t selfish. It’s maintenance. It’s the difference between surviving on fumes and actually showing up — for work, for family, and for yourself.

The world will still be there when you come back. But you’ll come back better.