The Power Behind Choosing Yourself - A Mental Health Manifesto for Limitless Living

Introduction

On May 14, 2022, from Nairobi, Kenya, Ambassador Maryben Omollo—an internationally acclaimed mental health and leadership coach, 17-time award-winning speaker, and founder of the Maryben Foundation—shared a deeply personal and empowering message as part of her “Mental Saturday” reflections. With a global reach of over 50 million and a mission to build resilient and inclusive workplaces across Africa, Omollo continues to use her platform to advocate for mental wellness, personal growth, and emotional liberation. Her message on this particular Saturday was a call to action: to choose oneself unapologetically, to break free from self-imposed limitations, and to rise above the distractions of a life without purpose. It was a declaration of hope, healing, and the power of intentional living.

The Power of Choosing Yourself

Omollo begins her message with a direct and compassionate appeal:

“Dear You, it’s time to choose you and let go of the guilt you feel whenever you choose yourself.”

This statement speaks to a universal struggle—especially among women, caregivers, and leaders—who often feel guilty for prioritising their own needs. Society frequently rewards self-sacrifice while stigmatising self-care. Omollo challenges this narrative by affirming that choosing oneself is not selfish—it is essential.

Choosing yourself means:

1. Setting boundaries.
2. Honouring your emotional and physical needs.
3. Pursuing your dreams without apology.
4. Saying “no” when necessary.
5. Saying “yes” to your own healing and growth.
6. Breaking Free from Limitation

Omollo urges her audience to break free from the mental and emotional boxes they’ve placed themselves in. These boxes may be shaped by fear, past trauma, societal expectations, or internalised doubt. But they are not permanent.

“Break free from the box of limitations you've put yourself in. Break the limits of your imagination.”

This is a call to reclaim agency. To recognise that the only true limits are the ones we accept. By challenging these boundaries, individuals can unlock creativity, courage, and clarity. They can begin to envision a life that reflects their true potential—not just their past experiences.

The Invitation to Soar

Omollo’s metaphor of flight is both poetic and powerful:

“Break out, spread your wings, glide and fly!”

This imagery evokes freedom, elevation, and transformation. It suggests that once individuals release themselves from fear and guilt, they can rise into a life of purpose and possibility. Flight is not just movement—it is transcendence.

To fly is to:

1. Trust your inner strength.
2. Embrace uncertainty.
3. Move beyond survival into thriving.
4. Live with intention and joy.

The Distraction of Drama

Omollo also addresses a subtle but significant truth: people without meaningful goals often become consumed by drama. Without a sense of purpose, life can feel empty, leading individuals to focus on trivial conflicts and distractions.

“People without any meaningful goals are always full of drama. They are bored with life. They end up focusing on small things that don’t matter.”

This observation is not a judgment—it is a wake-up call. It reminds us that purpose is a powerful antidote to chaos. When individuals are aligned with their goals, they are less likely to be derailed by negativity or pettiness.

A Message of Hope and Healing

Omollo’s message culminates in a declaration of collective healing and restoration:

“Today by God’s grace, we will bring hope to the hopeless, help heal the wounded, and bring back meaning to our lives.”

This is a recognition that we are all, in some way, wounded and weary. Life’s challenges—loss, rejection, failure, trauma—leave marks. But healing is possible. And it begins with choosing to rise again. Omollo’s words are a rallying cry for those who feel broken, lost, or stuck. She reminds us that we are not alone, and that grace, community, and intention can restore what was once fractured.

Lessons for Mental Health and Personal Growth

Omollo’s message offers several key lessons for mental health and personal development:

1. Self-care is not selfish – Prioritising your well-being is a form of strength, not weakness.
2. Imagination is liberation – Expanding your vision allows you to break free from limiting beliefs.
3. Purpose protects peace – When you live with intention, you are less vulnerable to distraction and drama.
4. Healing is communal – We rise together by supporting one another through compassion and grace.
5. Transformation begins with choice – The decision to choose yourself is the first step toward a limitless life.

Reflection

Ambassador Maryben Omollo’s “Mental Saturday” message on May 14, 2022, is a powerful reminder that transformation begins within. Her words challenge us to release guilt, embrace possibility, and rise into the life we were meant to live. In a world that often demands conformity and self-neglect, Omollo’s voice is a beacon of hope. She reminds us that we are allowed to choose ourselves. That we are capable of healing. And that we are worthy of a life filled with meaning, joy, and purpose. Her message is not just motivational—it is medicinal. It speaks to the soul and invites us to soar.

Lesson to Learn

Choosing yourself is the beginning of healing. Breaking free from limitations is the path to growth. And living with purpose is the key to peace. Let go of guilt. Embrace your wings. And remember: you are not ordinary—you are limitless.