The Subtle Ways You Abandon Yourself

The Signs of Neglect You’re Overlooking—and How to Fix Them

Neglect isn’t always a big, obvious thing. Sometimes, it’s the little things—those habits you fall into, those parts of your life you ignore because you’re too busy, tired, or overwhelmed to face them.

For years, I let things go unaddressed, and they became so normal to me that I didn’t even realize I was neglecting my well-being.

Vertigo, for example, became just another part of my routine. Every time I stood up, the world would spin, and my balance would falter. It wasn’t a dramatic fall—most of the time. It would happen quietly, maybe in a crowded room or meeting. I’d stumble slightly, trying to steady myself, hoping no one noticed.

It wasn’t very comfortable, but I didn’t go to a doctor for help. I lived with it. It took me years to realize that this was something fixable that didn’t have to be a part of my daily life.

The cause was an old ear injury; all I had to do was ask for help. The fix? Simple and free. I finally sought treatment, and the vertigo was gone, but it took far to…