I have a lot of conversations with women each week. Almost without fail, whether in therapy or classes, someone refers to herself or something she’s done as selfish.

Not because she’s behaving selfishly. Not at all. It’s typically because she’s taking her own needs into account and acting upon them.

Resting instead of helping. Saying no to something she could technically squeeze in. Spending money on herself. Wanting time alone. Changing a plan because it no longer works for her. Admitting she’s tired. Asking herself what she wants before automatically considering what everyone else needs.

Somewhere along the way, it seems that self-consideration became confused with selfishness.

For many women, turning toward others comes naturally. And then culture, family, work, motherhood, relationships, and even spiritual teachings reinforce that orientation. Be generous. Be compassionate. Help. Serve. Be available. Consider how your choices affect others.

There is nothing wrong with any of that. In fact, it’s quite beautiful when care for others grows from genuine love and generosity rather than obligation or the belief that your own needs matter less.

Yet I’ve found that compassion is incomplete when it excludes the person offering it.

You are also someone worthy of your attention, care, and nurturing. Self-consideration isn’t the same as putting yourself above everyone else.

It is simply refusing to leave yourself out of the equation.

Before saying yes, you might notice whether you actually have the capacity to follow through.

Rather than automatically accommodating someone else’s preference, you might wonder what you prefer or what you need in that moment.

When you’re feeling tired, frightened, disappointed, overwhelmed, or hurting, you can offer yourself some of the tenderness you would instinctively extend to someone you love. Soothing yourself first often helps you recognize what, if anything, you may need from others.

Sometimes self-consideration is simply part of an ordinary day.

You pause long enough to check in and notice what might nourish you. Perhaps you want company or solitude. Movement or rest. Maybe an interesting opportunity comes along, and before committing, you consider whether there’s room for it in your life right now.

Checking in with yourself to explore your own needs and wants doesn’t require that you choose yourself instead of someone else. It simply allows you to include yourself in the consideration from the beginning.