Put Yourself First – 5 Tips

Sometimes we think that it is more important to take care of other people. It is wonderful to have a mindset of helping others. However, a person has to take care of themselves and at times you have to put yourself first.

Theresa Ho shows you how to do this.

There’s often a bad stigma that is attached with putting yourself first. You feel guilty and worry about what others think.

 

But at the same time you know the benefits that come from taking care of yourself first. After all, how are you going to give to others if your cup is not full?

 

In order to function in life, there needs to be a balance of give and take.

 

So you imagine what your life will be like if you can start to say no to people and turn the attention to fulfilling your needs first.
You’ll feel less stressed, more energy, happier, doing the things you want.

 

But there is something holding you back. You are afraid of disappointing others and making others angry.

 

The reality is you can’t make everyone happy all the time. And people can’t expect you to make them happy all the time. That’s a tall order for anyone to take. It’s unrealistic.

 

The best way to happiness is to nourish your soul and take care of yourself in a healthy selfish way so that you are able to show up selflessly to help others. We need both in order to thrive in life.

 

So yes some people may start to dislike you, but I can guarantee not everyone will stop liking you.

 

The ones who truly care for you and your happiness will understand and get use to the changes you are making in your life. In the end, they’ll appreciate and benefit from you putting your oxygen mask on yourself first because you’ll show up in their life more present and more full.

 

It’s a good deal isn’t it?

 

So to help you kick the habit of shouldering obligations and shoulding yourself to take care of others first, here are 5 ways to get started.

 

1. Change Your Language

 

Switch the word ‘should’ to I would like to or I could, because should limits your choices and autonomy which gives off a sense of needless self-inflicted stress. Whereas the other two phrases implies positive action. It creates the sense that you made the decision to do something and transforms the experience of what you’ll be doing into something that brings fulfillment to you and others.

Image credit: Pixabay

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