When we become mothers, we often lose our identity to our children. When asked to talk about ourselves, the first thing we usually start with is… “I’m a mom.” We tend to identify ourselves through the lens of others, often forgetting the person we were before we had kids. Our needs and wants are put to the side for those around us, often pulling us in multiple directions.

As we age, why do we feel compelled to choose between nurturing our social lives, prioritizing our well-being, being present for our children, and pursuing a fulfilling career? Is it truly impossible to excel in all areas simultaneously? When we sacrifice one aspect of our lives for another, are we truly living to our fullest potential? These are the challenges many of us encounter, and as time progresses, the uphill battle seems to grow steeper, often leading us to surrender parts of our lives that once brought us immense joy, before the weight of added responsibilities set in.

As women, we constantly have a running list of things to do in our heads, making it hard to wind down and decompress. The list contains things we have to complete for our families, work, friends, etc., and for some reason, our own needs either end up at the bottom of the never-ending list or don’t make the list at all.

But what if we dared to flip this perpetual list and placed our needs at the forefront?

Women have consistently been perceived as the underdog, necessitating the adoption of a "tough woman" persona to prove our ability to compete with men. Any display of emotions is met with societal judgment, branding us as weak or incapable of handling challenges.

We're taught to maintain composure, regardless of exhaustion, and to be self-reliant, avoiding dependence on others

Growing up, I often observed women saying "yes" more frequently than "no," even when their expressions hinted otherwise. It seemed like they felt obligated to comply, regardless of their existing commitments or personal plans.

As an adult, I question whether we're perpetuating this cycle ourselves or if it's an enduring societal norm. To that, I emphatically say, "NO!" I refuse not only to subject myself to such situations but also to serve as a role model suggesting that this is an unavoidable aspect of womanhood.

Explore the journey through anxiety in the lives of women, as societal expectations clash with our nurturing nature.

Self-care isn’t just about pampering ourselves; it’s about digging deep into our everyday feelings and understanding how to navigate through the ups and downs. Self-care is a sense of confidence, drive, motivation, and overall happiness. It’s waking up in the morning feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle the day ahead with a smile on our face.

As women, our nature is to give and nurture those around us, but we often forget to do the same for ourselves. For some it’s the feeling of guilt, not feeling there’s enough time, and/or no self-awareness until it’s too late.

It’s so easy to compliment other women and lift our friends up when they’re feeling down, but when it comes to ourselves, we can be our harshest critic.

For me self-care is a balancing act, and when I say balancing, I don’t mean everything is evenly split 50/50 – it’s a balancing act of everything that’s important to me in that moment of time and that brings me joy from within.

We caught up with Fayola Benjamin, lawyer and mental health/self love advocate, to discuss what self-love means to her, advice on helping others find self-love, and why representation in the fashion industry is important.

Self-love is a powerful force that allows us to embrace our uniqueness and radiate confidence. By rebranding LYV.on to align with self-love, we are creating a platform that not only promotes sustainable fashion but also encourages individuals to prioritize their well-being and embrace their authentic selves.