Choose you first, and others will too. We teach others how to treat us. As a society, self-care and putting oneself first, is becoming more acceptable. Many of us grew up learning the belief that we need to sacrifice, compromise, and generally give up a piece of ourselves to others, in order to live a good life.
When we choose ourselves first, we fill our cup and feel whole. You cannot give what you don’t already have to give, even to your loved ones. If you are constantly giving to others without caring for yourself, you eventually deplete your being and begin to feel resentful, tired and
unhappy. When you pay attention to your needs first, you feel good within and are able to ripple this feeling out to those you care about.
Being part of a family unit means that sometimes someone else’s needs come first in that moment, but it does not mean that your needs get put in a mental box to be forgotten about.
Putting yourself first starts with establishing what you want and need in order to feel fulfilled. Once you know this, you can decide to include it into your daily life. Making this decision will open the door to how you can make it happen. It may mean that those around you will need to adjust to this development and perhaps take on a responsibility that was always theirs to begin with, and you found yourself doing it because you thought you should. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What does your being need?
- What is important to you?
- What would you like to include in your daily routine?
- What would you like to include in your weekly routine?
- What would you like to do that may require taking time away from your loved ones, but would feed your Soul?
Simply adding one thing to nurture yourself, into your routine, can have a profound difference in the way you feel. This act shows that you value yourself and teaches others to value you too. While the change may at first make people feel resistant because it impacts their comfort, they will soon see that giving you the space positively impacts them too. Those that truly care for you will become your cheerleaders. You are the star of your life – don’t let your candle burn out. Instead, light it brightly enough that you become the beacon – the flame for others.
The old belief is that it is selfish to give to yourself first, but the truth we have learned is that not caring for self first does far more harm to the people we love and the relationships that matter to us. Choose you today – pick one thing from your list and implement it into your life today.
What are you choosing to add to your routine that is just for you?
Many Blessings,
Santa
