Dear Editor,

Too many women in Antigua and Barbuda are quietly burning out. Every day, I see young mothers, wives, and daughters pushing themselves to the limit — juggling full-time jobs, caring for children, managing households, and still trying to keep a smile on their faces. We cook the meals, wash the clothes, help with homework, run errands, and somehow still find time to show up at work and in our communities. But at what cost?It’s time we faced a hard truth: we are not superwomen, even if we pretend to be.

Our society often praises women for “holding everything together,” but rarely do we talk about the toll it takes. Many of our women are exhausted, anxious, and stretched so thin that their physical and emotional health is breaking down. Hypertension, heart disease, and chronic fatigue are rising, not just among older women, but among those in their 20s and 30s. Stress is silently killing us.

Ladies, this is your reminder: it’s okay to rest. It’s okay to leave the dishes until morning. It’s okay to say no. The laundry can wait; your life cannot. Take that nap. Go for that walk. Schedule that doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off. Breathe. Laugh. Take time for you.

Self-care is not selfish, it is survival. We cannot pour from an empty cup. When you rest, you heal. When you take care of yourself, you set a powerful example for your daughters, nieces, and friends.

To the men and families reading this: support the women in your lives. Share the responsibilities. A healthy woman makes for a healthy home, and a healthy home builds a stronger nation.

Women of Antigua and Barbuda, please, put yourselves on your own priority list. The housework will still be there tomorrow, but you must be here to see it.

Take care of yourself. You deserve it.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Sister