Let's debunk a widespread misconception in our society: the notion that prioritizing yourself is selfish. While no one wants to come across as entitled, valuing your own needs and desires doesn't make you a bad person. When you care for someone, it's natural to want to put their needs first. After all, making them happy is important. However, loving others doesn't mean neglecting self-love.
Ultimately, self-care is crucial. You can't rescue others or make the world conform to your wishes. You are the only aspect of your life that you have complete control over. If you're depleted, you won't have the energy to assist others. Prioritizing your own physical, mental, and emotional well-being puts you in a position to be genuinely altruistic. Additionally, we've included some advice on implementing this change.
Why You Should Put Yourself First In Life
1. Burnout is real, and it's a bitch
Continuously pushing yourself will inevitably result in complete burnout. At your worst, you may struggle to accomplish anything more than ordering takeout from your bed, and your hard-earned accomplishments could be lost.
2. You can get more done if you take the time to recharge
Although taking a break may appear to set you back, in reality, it can help you achieve more in the long run. Recharging will leave you feeling more revitalized and productive, and the added boost will make up for any time lost during your break.
3. It hurts your loved ones to see you completely drained
For women who struggle to prioritize their own needs, it's important to recognize that loved ones don't want to see you completely drained. They are pained by your suffering, and you won't be of much use to them if you're too fatigued to function at full capacity.
4. When you're exhausted, your work suffers
You may be able to continue working tirelessly without taking breaks, but eventually, the caliber of your work will deteriorate. If you're overworked, you won't be able to demonstrate your full potential to the world.
5. Life's a marathon, not a sprint
Despite the well-known saying, life is actually quite lengthy. If you want to establish and expand over the long haul, it's important to maintain a steady pace. Burning out prematurely can harm your prospects in the future.
6. All work and no play make you a dull person
Additionally, you'll be an unhappy individual, and nobody wants to spend time with someone who only discusses work and chores, particularly if you're dissatisfied with what you're doing.
7. If you don't put yourself first, no one will
If you don't prioritize yourself, how can you expect your partner to do so? Your behavior indicates to the world that you aren't a priority, so it's no surprise if you're treated accordingly.
8. Long-term stress has serious side effects
Chronic stress can result in severe mental and physical consequences. By striving for hyper-productivity all the time, you may be putting your health at risk. If you're working hard presently to unwind in the future, it's crucial to take enough breaks to ensure you reach that point.
Plus…
1. You deserve a break
Your life's purpose isn't merely to work nonstop until your dying day. You deserve moments to unwind, enjoy yourself, or embark on adventures. If you never have time to savor life's pleasures, what's the point of working so hard?
2. The people you love the most love you back
You desire your friends to be healthy, happy, and flourishing, and they want the same for you. If you're physically and mentally drained, your edginess will begin to influence not just yourself, but also those you care about. By focusing on yourself, you can invest more energy in your relationships.
3. You have to rest your star player if you want your team to succeed
You're the MVP of your team. Regardless of how capable your supporting players are, you still need to perform well. If you're stressed and exhausted, you'll falter and be unable to confront your obstacles. At times, you must release your commitments, relax and recharge, and return to confront life like a champion.
4. No one else will be able to save you
No one can do the work for you. There's no savior who will magically guide you in the right direction. You're in charge of your own life. Complaining and waiting for someone else to take action is pointless. Take ownership and put in the effort for yourself, and you'll reap the rewards. Who knows, you may even inspire your friends to do the same.
5. You've got to refuel if you want to have something to offer
Your body and mind suffer greatly from stress, anxiety, and exhaustion. To effectively help your friends with their problems, you must be fully present in the conversation. However, pushing yourself to the limit leaves you with barely enough energy to go through the motions.
6. You can't change the world, but you sure as hell can change yourself
To make the world a better place, you must first improve yourself. It's a straightforward truth. While many desire to change the world, they often fail to begin with themselves.
7. You have to take care of yourself first
As humans, we tend to be self-centered and focus on our own needs. Therefore, it's important to prioritize taking care of yourself first. Only when you're in a good place can you effectively support and care for others.
8. You don't live with your mom anymore
We all experience anger, sickness, and exhaustion at some point in our lives, regardless of the reason. It's important to prioritize your own well-being because nobody else will do it for you. You can't rely on someone to take care of you like your mother did. It's up to you to make sure you're taking care of yourself.
How To Do It
1. Decide on your own self-care
There is much discussion about the definition of self-care, but ultimately you should select self-care practices that bring you joy, enhance your self-assurance, and enable you to express self-love. Depending on the day, it may involve pampering yourself with a manicure or delivering a self-motivating speech in front of the bathroom mirror. The key is to find what works best for you.
2. Learn how to say no
The word "no" is both crucial and concise. Saying it can be one of the simplest ways to prioritize your own needs, but it can also be challenging to do. If you're feeling exhausted and don't want to assist your friend with making dinner for her coworkers, or if you don't have time for a date tonight, don't push yourself. Focus on what you require presently and do what feels best for you, without worrying about others' opinions.
3. Lose the guilt
Guilt is an unproductive use of both time and energy, and it can be particularly damaging because it often results in prioritizing others over yourself. When you allow guilt to take over, you may find yourself using your last bit of energy to please others instead of attending to your own needs. This can be a wasteful and harmful use of your resources.
4. Set boundaries
You've likely heard it before, but it bears repeating: setting boundaries is essential for self-care. By establishing boundaries, you demonstrate self-love and demand respect from others. If you cannot prioritize your own needs and set boundaries, you cannot reasonably expect others to do so.
5. Do what you love
You have the freedom to live your life on your own terms, but sometimes it's easy to neglect the activities you truly enjoy. It's crucial to start prioritizing those activities, as doing so means prioritizing your own happiness.
6. Give yourself space in relationships
It's crucial to carve out time for yourself, even when you're spending time with the person you love. Whether you're engaging in your favorite arts and crafts or simply reflecting on your thoughts, having a space where you can check in with yourself without interruptions is essential for your well-being.
7. Pay attention to your gut
Prioritizing yourself involves heeding your intuition, which houses your deepest truths. Your intuition continually seeks your attention to guide you away from potentially harmful situations and remind you to tune in to your emotions. Listening to your intuition is among the most critical ways to prioritize your well-being.
8. Remember your worth
You are sufficient as you are. You don't need to be a certain size, have a specific personality, or make others love you. Embrace your awesomeness, and the right people will appreciate you for who you are. Constantly feeling inadequate will only lead to misery and push people away without you even realizing it.
9. Fight for your needs
When we say needs, we're not referring to basic human or social needs, although those are undoubtedly important. We're talking about the things you require from life and your relationships to be content and respected. It's crucial to fight for what you deserve, as neglecting to do so sends the message that your needs are unimportant. Always remember that your needs matter.
10. Set some limits
It's worth noting that boundaries are not a sign of weakness. While it's essential to believe in yourself and strive for your goals, it's equally important to recognize the actions you won't take to get ahead. If you find yourself pushing too hard, it's healthy to acknowledge when it's time to take a break. Your limits serve to protect you, and understanding where they are set will allow you to prioritize your well-being. Ultimately, there is nowhere else you should be but at the top of your own priority list.
