Women’s Health Week - Say Yes To You

When was the last time you said yes to yourself? Not yes to your kids. Not yes to your partner, boss, or family. Yes to you. For so many women, that question is harder to answer than it should be. We’re encouraged to pour into everyone else’s lives, while our own health and wellbeing get pushed to the side. But this Women’s Health Week, the theme from Jean Hailes says it best: “Say Yes to You.” And let me tell you — saying yes to yourself is not selfish. It’s survival.

When women prioritise their health, the ripple effect is powerful. Families are stronger. Communities thrive. Workplaces function better. Yet even with all we know, women’s health is still overlooked and undervalued. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Australian women — but too many don’t realise they’re at risk until it’s too late. Endometriosis still takes years to diagnose, leaving women in pain and unheard. Half of us will experience mental health challenges in our lifetime, yet stigma keeps many silent. These aren’t just numbers. They’re real women — friends, mums, sisters, colleagues — who push through pain and exhaustion because they feel they must hold everything together.

One woman told me how she ignored chest pain for weeks. She was too busy with work, kids, and life to stop. When she finally went to hospital, it turned out to be something serious. That health scare changed everything. Now she books her check-ups, takes rest seriously, and asks for help when she needs it. The result? She has more energy, feels more present with her family, and says she finally feels like herself again. That’s the truth about women’s health: it’s not just about surviving — it’s about living fully.

Caring for yourself doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes it starts with booking that overdue health check, asking the question you’ve been holding back at the doctor, or taking a rest day without guilt. These small acts are quiet ways of saying: “I matter.” Here’s the thing: women shouldn’t carry this responsibility alone. Families, workplaces, communities, and health services all have a role to play. Support makes it easier to say yes to yourself — and at Choice Community Health, that’s what we stand for. We walk alongside women every day: helping navigate appointments, building confidence, removing barriers, and reminding you that your health always matters.

Because women’s health isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about dignity, hope, and choice. It’s about being seen and supported as a whole person, not just a patient. This Women’s Health Week, don’t wait for the perfect time. There isn’t one. Say yes to booking that check-up. Say yes to rest. Say yes to speaking up when something feels off. Because when you say yes to your health, you’re saying yes to a fuller, stronger, more present version of yourself — and everyone around you benefits too.

To every woman reading this, your wellbeing is worth investing in. You are not alone, and you don’t have to do it all. Say yes to that next step for your health, whatever it may be. And if you need someone to walk with you, we’re here.