The Importance of Putting Yourself First

About the program

The holidays are often described as a joyful time, but they can also bring grief, loneliness, difficult family dynamics, and pressure to keep showing up for everyone else. In this holiday adaptation of her TEDx talk, “The Importance of Putting Yourself First,” Natalie A. Solomon, MPH, brings her Secure Your Oxygen Mask First™ philosophy to The Bellemont Society’s mental health series. Participants will explore practical ways to recognize their capacity, set boundaries, navigate challenging interactions, and care for themselves before, during, and after holiday gatherings. This conversation makes room for the season as people actually experience it—with permission to choose what supports their well-being, rather than what simply meets everyone else’s expectations.

Learning highlights

• —Recognize your capacity before saying yes to holiday commitments.
• —Set boundaries and respond to difficult conversations without overexplaining.
• —Make room for grief, loneliness, or mixed emotions without forcing yourself to feel festive.
• —Plan for your own care before, during, and after gatherings—with breaks, support, and an exit plan when needed.