Healing starts when you stop apologizing… for listening to your body. It’s a simple but profound shift from seeking external validation to trusting your own internal wisdom, and it’s where real wellness begins.
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Table of Contents
Meaning
At its core, this is about granting yourself unconditional permission to honor your body’s needs without feeling guilty or needing to justify your choices to anyone else.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this with so many clients. We’re conditioned, especially as women, to be people-pleasers. We push through the fatigue, we eat the food we’re served to be polite, we ignore pain signals because we don’t want to be a burden. And what happens? We burn out. Our health suffers. This quote flips that script entirely. It says that the very act of tuning in—of saying “no” to that extra commitment, of resting when you’re tired, of eating what truly nourishes you—isn’t selfish. It’s the foundation. It’s the first and most critical step in any healing journey. The “apologizing” part is the killer. It’s the social conditioning that makes us doubt our own experience. When you drop that, you reclaim your authority over your own well-being.
Quote Summary
Reading Level70
Aesthetic Score84
Origin & Factcheck
This is correctly attributed to Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a well-respected OB/GYN and women’s health expert. It comes directly from her 2021 book, Love Yourself Well, published in the United States. You won’t find it falsely attributed to other authors; it’s very much her unique, empowering voice in the wellness space.
Attribution Summary
Author Bio
Dr Jessica Shepherd is an OB/GYN and women’s health advocate who blends clinical expertise with accessible education. She founded Her Viewpoint to help women navigate topics like periods, fertility, fibroids, sexual health, and menopause. A trusted voice in media and on stage, she translates complex science into practical steps patients can use right away. While building the Dr Jessica Shepherd book list and resources, she continues to champion informed, equitable care that centers each woman’s needs and goals.
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Healing starts when you stop apologizing for listening to your body |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2023; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9780063289408; Last Edition: 1st Edition; Number of Pages: 288. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 2: The Language of the Body, Approximate page from 2023 edition |
Context
In her book, Dr. Shepherd uses this concept to frame a holistic approach to women’s health, specifically connecting the gut, brain, and vaginal microbiome. She’s making the point that you can’t “hack” one system without listening to the others, and that starts with paying attention to the signals your whole body is sending you, all the time.
Usage Examples
This isn’t just a nice saying; it’s a practical tool. Here’s how I see people use it effectively:
- For the chronic people-pleaser: Using it as a mantra before sending a text to cancel plans because they’re genuinely exhausted, and sending it without a five-paragraph explanation.
- In the workplace: A professional finally setting a boundary by not answering emails after 6 PM, understanding that their mental recovery time is non-negotiable for their long-term performance.
- For someone on a health journey: Someone skipping a intense workout because their body is screaming for rest, and choosing a walk or gentle stretch instead, trusting that that is what true healing looks like today.
To whom it appeals?
| Context | Attributes |
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| Theme | Wisdom (1754) |
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| Audiences | health advocates (13), patients (69), therapists (555), wellness coaches (18), women (74) |
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| Usage Context/Scenario | instagram health posts (1), mental health campaigns (8), motivational talks on self-care (1), personal journaling reflections (1), self-affirmation reminders (1), wellness retreats (11), women health workshops (1) |
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Share This Quote Image & Motivate
Motivation Score88
Popularity Score65
Shareability Score78
Common Questions
Question: Isn’t this just an excuse to be lazy or self-indulgent?
Answer: That’s the fear, right? But there’s a massive difference between self-indulgence and self-preservation. Laziness is a lack of discipline, while listening to your body is an act of deep discipline and respect for your long-term health. It’s about working with your body, not against it.
Question: How do you even start to listen to your body? It feels vague.
Answer: Start small. Before you eat, ask yourself what you’re truly hungry for. Before you commit to something, check in with your energy levels. It’s about moving from autopilot to conscious awareness, one small decision at a time.
Question: What if my body’s signals seem to conflict with what my doctor says?
Answer: This is a great point. Listening to your body doesn’t replace medical advice; it informs it. Your lived experience is a critical data point. A good doctor will want to hear about the signals you’re getting. It’s a partnership, not a contradiction.
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