More present
"I didn't realise how much of me I'd quietly set aside, until I wasn't doing it anymore. More myself, more there for my children."
withova · her story
Siti Nordiana
I stopped counting how many times I'd said "later." One day I realised, later had never come. So I stopped waiting.
She put everyone first. For years.
I think many women are so used to putting everyone else first that they stop thinking about themselves altogether. Between work, family and the everyday demands of life, it is easy to tell yourself you'll focus on your health when things calm down.
For a long time, that's exactly what I did. Once work gets quieter. Once the children are older. Once things settle down. As a mother, we become experts at putting ourselves last, making sure everyone else is fed, everyone else is okay, everyone else's needs are met. And before you know it, months go by. Years, even.
What changed for me was a simple realisation: looking after yourself isn't selfish. When we take care of ourselves, we show up better for the people we love, more present, more patient, more there in every way that actually matters. I'm sharing this because I know I'm not the only one. Many women will recognise that feeling. I hope that by talking about it openly, more women feel they can take that step too.
See it in her own words.
UNDERSTANDING THE PATTERN
Why do women so often put themselves last?
It's not a personality flaw. It's a pattern shaped by roles, expectations and the invisible weight women carry.
Take the first step by calculating your BMI and better understanding where you are today.
The caregiver role
Women make up the majority of informal caregivers, for children, ageing parents, and family members who need support. This role, while meaningful, consistently comes at the cost of their own health needs. Research shows caregivers are significantly less likely to see a doctor as often as they should, with many missing appointments entirely.
The “later” trap
Delayed health-seeking is not just common — it's well-documented. Studies on Malaysian women specifically show that almost half delay acting on health symptoms by more than three months, often citing family responsibility, time constraints, and a sense of guilt about prioritising themselves. The longer the delay, the harder it becomes to start.
Access & convenience
Even when women want to seek help, the barriers are real. Clinic hours, travel time, waiting rooms, taking leave from work — each small friction point becomes a reason to put it off. When healthcare is designed around a Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-5 world, it quietly excludes those who hold everything else together.
What shifted
What changed when Nana finally put herself first
No more guilt
"Prioritising my health isn't a luxury. It took me years to understand that, and now I can't unsee it."
Finding time again
"Life never got less busy. I just realised that if I kept waiting for the perfect time to prioritise myself, it would never come."
More present
"I didn't realise how much of me I'd quietly set aside, until I wasn't doing it anymore. More myself, more there for my children."
No more guilt
"Prioritising my health isn't a luxury. It took me years to understand that, and now I can't unsee it."
Finding time again
"Life never got less busy. I just realised that if I kept waiting for the perfect time to prioritise myself, it would never come."
Women's health — the numbers
54.4%
of Malaysian adults are living with overweight or obesity, with women disproportionately affected
72%
of caregivers, overwhelmingly women, say they don't go to the doctor as often as they should
Did Nana's story feel familiar?
Over the next few weeks, we'll share the full stories from Shila, Siti and Diana, along with practical advice from OVA's doctors to help you better understand your weight and what support is available.
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