How to Make Yourself a Priority Without Feeling Guilty

There she goes again.

A list full of hobbies, passion projects, and self-care plans only to push them to the side because someone asked her to do A, B, or C.

Or because the weekend she had planned for herself suddenly became someone else’s weekend of getting things done… with her help, of course.

Now, be honest:

Is she you?

Plenty of time for everyone else, but none for you.

And now you’re tired.
Financially limited.
Creatively exhausted.

When will you become a priority to you?

Is it guilt that keeps you quiet? Fear, maybe?

Do you believe you’re the only one who can help the people you love? And if so, what will they do if something happens to you?

Are you shrinking?

There are plenty of reasons we can choose to prioritize what others want or need over what we need for ourselves. The problem isn’t that everyone knows they can depend on you.

The problem is knowing whether you can depend on you.

Can you depend on yourself to provide boundaries?
To say no?
To choose you?

It’s time to stop thinking you have to put yourself at the bottom of the totem pole.

Showing your love for others should not require you to love yourself less.

So consider this your shameless invitation:

Do the thing.

Travel to the place.
Try the food.
Make the time.

Live your life. Chase your dreams. Take care of you.

There are so many ways we put ourselves last without even realizing it. We tell ourselves we’ll get to it later. We’ll make the time eventually. We’ll take care of ourselves when everything else is handled.

But eventually, it’s time to make a shift.

Change your perspective. Change your heart. And decide that you matter too.

Tell your loved ones that you can still help, but there are some things that will have to wait.

You can love others and love yourself.

You can show up for people without disappearing from your own life.

And you can make room for the things that bring you joy, creativity, rest, adventure, and fulfillment.

Here’s to a more fulfilled, well-rounded life and to having people around us who want to see us thrive beyond measure.

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