Taking the initiative to schedule routine tests and screenings, asking questions, and doing your own research on preventative health measures is the *ultimate* form of self-care. Self-care isn’t necessarily face masks or gratitude journaling or spending time in nature or creating a vision board (though these are great outlets). I would argue that scheduling a routine test that could prevent life-threatening forms of cancer among other illnesses is the most important form of self-care. I’m talking about the Pap test.

I encourage you, women of the world reading this, to take advantage of the health screenings available to us – check in with your primary care doctor or OBGYN. Find out if you’re due for your first/next Pap test. My self-care appointment is booked for next week – take the time to prioritize caring for yourself too.

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Our health is the strong foundation from which we build off of— without this durable base, we have nothing. I learned through neglecting my own health for nearly a decade that without it, your life is restricted to constantly asking yourself the question: “Am I healthy enough to do this?” instead of simply being able to live your life how you want to. Taking the initiative to schedule routine tests and screenings, asking questions, and doing your own research on preventative health measures is the *ultimate* form of self-care. Self-care isn’t necessarily face masks or gratitude journaling or spending time in nature or creating a vision board (though these are great outlets). I would argue that scheduling a routine test that could prevent life-threatening forms of cancer among other illnesses is the most important form of self-care. I’m talking about the Pap smear. Prior to having access to pap screenings, cervical cancer was the most lethal form of cancer among women. The CDC currently recommends that women over the age of 21 undergo a pap screening every 3 years. Now, healthcare guidelines are turning towards eliminating the Pap test. As women, it’s frightening to know that preventative tests put in place to protect our bodies are being taken away without our consent. Having a proactive (life-saving) health screening taken away from us is unacceptable. When we, as women, have a voice in our own health decisions, we create a more equitable system. When it comes to our health, we need to be made aware of the decisions that will be ours to consider and advocate for. I encourage you, women of the world reading this, to take advantage of the health screenings available to us- check in with your primary care doctor or OBGYN. Find out if you’re due for your first/next Pap test. My self-care appointment is booked for next week— take the time to prioritize caring for yourself too. Paid for by Protect the Pap #protectthepap #ptp

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