Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1542457
W e care for others every day through our hands and our hearts. However, when life turns painful for us—like losing someone we love— it becomes clear how little time we spend caring for ourselves. We are trained to listen, nurture, and comfort others. Yet when grief takes hold, many of us instinctively withdraw, unsure how to apply our professional wisdom to our personal healing. We are used to being the calm in someone else's storm. But what happens when the storm is ours? In December 2024, my husband, Rob, unexpectedly passed away—just five days before Christmas. It was, and sometimes still is, unreal. The days that followed felt heavy and blurry, a mix of disbelief, exhaustion, and aching quiet. Even now, I can still hear the holiday music playing in the background that week, a cruel reminder that the world was celebrating while mine had stopped. During that time, I realized something: In our profession, we take care of others, but who takes care of us? We often preach the importance of self-care to clients and students. Yet when we are grieving, guilt and self-doubt can creep in: Is it selfish to take time for myself ? Am I neglecting others? The truth is, no. Self-care is not selfish—it's survival. After 25 years in the beauty industry as a licensed esthetician, instructor, and program director, I've learned that caring for ourselves is both a personal and professional responsibility. Grief has a way of testing what we teach. This article shares what that experience taught me about healing, as both a professional and a person. 77