Putting yourself first is crucial when it comes to self-care. You have to be able and willing to believe that you deserve to consider your own needs, feelings, interests, and comfort if you’re going to truly excel at taking care of yourself. It truly is not selfish to prioritize yourself. In fact, making you a priority is an act of love. It’s good for you and for others when you take the time to engage in self-care. Let me show you what I mean.
You’ll Be More Confident
When you make yourself a priority, you’ll slowly begin to see that what you want matters. This is something you may be resistant to at first, especially if you’ve been taught to always put others first. It’s hard to step out of the role of caregiver or people pleaser. The more you do it, the easier it will be to see your own value. You’ll become more confident in yourself and your ability to do what needs to be done for you.
You’ll Be Healthier
Constantly putting others before you is stressful. That alone can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being. If you’re not getting a good night’s rest regularly and eating well, you’re also bound to see negative effects on your overall health. Taking time to see to it that you’re taking good care of your body and mind is self-care that is necessary.
You’ll Feel Happier
You’ll simply feel happier when you start to do the things you enjoy and make a concerted effort to prioritize yourself. While caring for others and being generous can bring satisfaction, focusing exclusively on others is apt to burn you out. Making sure your wants and needs are met will lead to contentment. In order to achieve true life satisfaction, you need to address all aspects of it. This includes focusing on yourself.
You’ll Have More to Give
Finally, the truth is, you’ll simply have more energy to give to others and to pay attention to their needs when you’re caring for yourself. Think of the advice flight attendants give to put on your own oxygen mask before attending to those around you. It’s like that. You can’t properly give of yourself to others if you aren’t addressing your own needs.
These are just some of the many advantages that come with prioritizing yourself. It’s not selfish. Doing so will help you to be a better person who has more energy to devote to the important people in your life.