Prioritize yourself first, no one can do it for you.
Your well-being, dreams, and happiness are in your hands, and taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s a necessity. Just as you put on your oxygen mask before helping others in an emergency on an airplane, you must ensure your physical, emotional, and mental needs are met before you can truly be there for others. Many people struggle with putting themselves first, because they feel guilty, selfish, or unworthy. They sacrifice their own needs and desires for the sake of others, and neglect their own health and happiness. They may think that by doing so, they are being kind, generous, or loyal, but in reality, they are harming themselves and those they care about. When you don’t prioritize yourself first, you are not giving your best to yourself or anyone else.
Self-prioritization is a form of self-respect, and by nurturing your own growth and happiness, you become better equipped to positively impact the world around you. No one can do it for you, because no one knows you better than yourself. You are the only one who can decide what makes you happy, what fulfills you, and what challenges you. You are the only one who can take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. You are the only one who can set your own goals and pursue your own dreams. By prioritizing yourself first, you are not only improving your own life, but also the lives of those around you. So, make it a priority to invest in yourself, because in doing so, you’ll discover the strength to achieve your goals and be a source of support for those you care about.
Your Turn
Here are a few journaling prompts that complement the idea of prioritizing oneself. Pick one today and spend 5 minutes reflecting. Come back as many times as you need to work on different perspectives of prioritizing oneself.
- What are the top three aspects of self-care that I need to focus on in my life right now, and why are they important to me?
- Reflect on a recent moment when you felt overwhelmed or neglected your own needs. What could you have done differently to prioritize yourself in that situation?
- Write about a specific goal or dream you’ve been putting on hold. What steps can you take to make it a priority in your life starting today?
- List five activities or practices that bring you joy and rejuvenate your spirit. How can you incorporate them into your daily or weekly routine?
- Consider your current daily schedule. Are there any tasks or commitments that drain your energy and take time away from self-prioritization? How can you manage or eliminate them?
- Explore the concept of self-compassion. How can you be kinder and more forgiving toward yourself when you make mistakes or face challenges?
- Describe a person in your life who is a positive influence on your self-prioritization journey. What qualities do they possess that you admire and can learn from?
- What fears or beliefs have held you back from prioritizing yourself in the past? Write about strategies to overcome these obstacles.
- Imagine your ideal self in the future, who has successfully made self-prioritization a daily habit. What does that version of you look like, and what steps can you take today to move closer to that vision?
- Write a letter to yourself, acknowledging your worth and your commitment to self-prioritization. Include specific promises and intentions for how you will prioritize yourself moving forward.
5-Minute Cup Filler Exercise
Prioritize yourself, for within the care of your own soul, you’ll find the strength to illuminate the world around you.
Think back over the last 24 hours.
BECOME AWARE: Identify one opportunity for self-prioritization you ignored or failed to recognize. How did this impact you? How could it impact you positively if you took the time?
BE GRATEFUL: Rephrase your observation into the choice you can be grateful for. What is the “better version of you” you choose instead?
I am grateful for __(insert what you became aware of)___ because it gives me a chance to __(insert what you will do differently)__.
TAKE ACTION: What is one choice (when faced with it again) you will make to improve the outcome?
Name an additional action you choose to take throughout the day to reinforce.
