8 Things That Happen When You Put Yourself First

1. You’ll learn that “no” is a complete sentence. 

You don’t need to provide a reason for turning something down. If your friends want to go out on a Friday night but you’ve had a long week at work and just want to relax, you can just say no. You don’t need to rationalize. You don’t need to come up with an excuse. You can just say no. “No thank you.” “That plan doesn’t work for me.” “I am not available then.” Period. End of sentence.

2. Boundary pushers will push.

People hate the word “no.” They will call you selfish. They will continue to push the boundaries you establish for yourself if you let them. The important thing is that you no longer enable them or argue with them. They will tear down every excuse you provide. Prioritizing your time and your mental health is not selfish. You need to take care of yourself before others sometimes. Set your boundaries and enforce them. Standing your ground is difficult but essential, and over time it gets easier.

3. You will feel more in control. 

You’ll be less overwhelmed. You will feel more in control of your schedule and your time. Looking at the to-do list will be less daunting and more fulfilling. You will start to live your life instead of just going along for the ride and hoping to find time to breathe in between tasks.

4. You will prioritize “me time” instead of penciling it in at the end of the day if your schedule allows.

Your mental health is important. Your time for reflection, meditation, reading, creating, or just relaxing should be and is sacred. When you make time for it every day, you’ll feel the difference, physically and mentally. You’ll have more energy. You’ll be happier. You’ll be better able to help others.

5. You’ll stop settling. 

At work. In relationships. With your goals. You’ll be more in tune with what you deserve and stop settling for less. You’ll stop letting others disrespect you and define you. You’ll discover that you define your worth, and that will be a powerful thing.

6. You will have more energy for you.

When you stop spreading your energy so thinly over the tasks that you do for others, you will finally have the energy to focus on your own goals. You will discover hidden talents, dreams, and opportunities. You will be able to use all that energy to live a life you are proud of and one you wake up grateful for every day.

7. You will love yourself more.

You’ll become more in tune with your physical and mental needs. Your mind, body, and spirit will be in harmony. You will no longer be doing things that drain you and leave you feeling empty, but rather be actively engaging in a satisfying life.

8. You will serve others better.

Putting yourself first is not selfish or narcissistic. In fact, it is the opposite. You can’t take care of others without first taking care of yourself. You can’t love others if you do not first love yourself. When you put yourself first, you’ll be in the best state to help others. You’ll be able to show up as your best self, and with your full capacity to love. The key is ensuring you are taken care of first. There is a reason that they instruct you on planes to put the oxygen mask on yourself before helping others. A wounded nurse isn’t much help in a war zone.