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Because we haven’t been taught to appreciate and love…

“Because we haven’t been taught to appreciate and love ourselves in this way, we don’t feel like we deserve self-care and pleasure. Instead, we cling to our To Do lists and sacrifice our health and well-being for the sake of others. Then, when we feel deprived of our basic human need for relaxation…” quote by Jessica Ortner
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“Because we haven’t been taught to appreciate and love ourselves in this way, we don’t feel like we deserve self-care and pleasure. Instead, we cling to our To Do lists and sacrifice our health and well-being for the sake of others. Then, when we feel deprived of our basic human need for relaxation and enjoyment, we turn to food as our sole source of pleasure. When we then try to deprive ourselves of food through dieting, we deny the last bit of pleasure we have in our lives. And that strategy never works!”

Jessica Ortner

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People often neglect self‑care because they feel unworthy, turning to food for comfort; dieting then removes that sole pleasure, creating a cycle that never resolves.

In simple terms: Self‑worth drives self‑care; food becomes a coping tool.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate self‑compassion and healthier coping.

Themes

self‑care self‑worth food relationship health boundaries

Mood

empathetic motivational

Type

self‑help inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal health
  • stress management
  • dieting
  • mindful eating

Key Concepts

psychology well‑being behavioral change

Questions to Reflect On

  • What non‑food pleasures could replace comfort eating?
  • How can you reframe self‑care as deserved?
A Different Perspective

Food may mask deeper emotional needs.

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