“I’ll do that when I make more money.”

“Once I graduate, I’ll have time to think about that.”

“I’ll just do my own research and test out these supplements I read about.”

Have you said any of those things to yourself? I sure did — for too many years. By the time I realized how out of control things were with my eczema and overall health, I had so much to think about that focusing on healing my eczema the right way still got put on the back burner.

I’ve always had eczema, but it showed up on my hands near the end of college and has steadily gotten worse over the years. I was busy looking for jobs during the recession, then getting two master’s degrees, working, traveling and living abroad, and more.

When it came to my eczema, I listened to tons of podcasts and did my own research. I read product labels, got tested for allergies, did elimination diets, had UV light treatment, went on tons of dermatologist visits, and, yes, used steroid cream (but always sparingly). I’ve had a staph infection and more issues that I don’t care to discuss. I didn’t even realize how much eczema had taken over my thoughts and time when I could’ve gotten actual testing and real, professional help. I was more concerned about the perfect circumstances aligning in my life.

If I could do one thing differently, it would be to use a functional eczema practitioner earlier on.

Society tells us that our main concerns should be getting a job (but really, “the” job), have some semblance of “settling down” with a career or spouse, or, at the very least, buying an apartment or house. I was just waiting for a job that paid more because all those other things seemed out of reach, but I now realize that prioritizing my health would’ve helped me in all the other areas too.

Society doesn’t get real with us, but if it did, it would say to take care of ourselves. I’ve learned that hustle culture isn’t good for anything if I’m left suffering. Taking care of my health, which includes both mental and physical aspects, is way more important than caring what society thinks of me. I have to live in this body — no one else does — and I deserve to do the best I can to feel good in it.

I’m still in the process of telling myself that every day, learning how to cook more and better meals, and working through my functional eczema protocol, while also addressing other areas of my life. As imperfect as things still might be, there’s one thing I know for sure: I can’t see myself going back to the person I was before. I’ve come too far and have too much respect for myself. I know now that I deserve to heal.

On MyEczemaTeam, members discuss eczema from a specific point of view. Would you like to share your personal story to help others living with eczema? You can learn more about this paid writing opportunity from MyEczemaTeam here.

Members’ articles don’t reflect the opinions of MyEczemaTeam staff, medical experts, partners, advertisers, or sponsors. Content on MyEczemaTeam isn’t intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.