7 Ways to Start Putting Yourself First

 

Are you one of those people who have a hard time prioritizing yourself?

We often think that prioritizing yourself means being selfish, but putting yourself first doesn’t mean neglecting others — it means taking time for self-care, setting boundaries, and treating yourself with kindness. You are as important as everyone else, and your needs are just as important as theirs.

1. Set Personal Boundaries

It’s okay to say NO sometimes. I learned this the hard way. A few years ago, I was always saying yes to requests from friends and colleagues, even when it drained me. I didn’t want to seem rude, but the result was burnout. One day, I decided enough was enough. I started setting clear boundaries — learning to say no when I needed to recharge. At first, it was difficult, but over time, I realized that taking care of myself allowed me to be more present for others. Saying “no” wasn’t selfish; it was necessary for my well-being.

2. Ask for Help When You Need It

As human beings, we need each other from time to time. Surround yourself only with those who truly care for you, love you, and appreciate you. Build meaningful relationships with people who will be there for you in times of difficulty.

3. Prioritize Rest

You need to fill your cup before you can fill anyone else’s, which means you need rest. We are humans, not machines. We need to rest, take good care of ourselves, slow down, take naps, and eat nutritious foods. Let go of all the negative thoughts. Taking time for yourself isn’t lazy — it’s necessary. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep.

4. Start a New Hobby

When you’re passionate about something, it brings immense joy and peace. Having hobbies will keep you busy and help you stay creative at the same time. Here are a few hobbies you might like to try:

· Drawing

· Painting

· Writing

· Gardening

· Playing an instrument

· Knitting

· Cooking

5. Practice Gratitude

Life is unpredictable. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, and we don’t know what the future holds. The only thing we truly have is the present moment. Here are some things to be grateful for:

· Be thankful for the warm cup of tea you’re having.

· Appreciate the roof over your head.

· Notice small acts of kindness that you might have overlooked.

· Be thankful for the present moment you get to live.

· Take a walk and be thankful for each thing you see: trees, flowers, the sky, birds.

· Write down all the things you are blessed with and grateful for.

· Be thankful for the troubles you don’t have.

6. Treat Yourself with Compassion

Be kind to yourself. Don’t be so hard on yourself all the time. We are human beings, and we make mistakes. What matters is learning from our mistakes and moving forward with compassion and empathy. Forgive yourself for the mistakes you’ve made in the past, then let go of any guilt you feel.

I used to be really hard on myself. If I made a mistake, I would replay it in my head over and over, beating myself up about it. One day, after a long, frustrating week, I realized something — I would never treat a friend the way I treated myself. If a friend messed up, I would encourage them to learn from it and move on, but I wasn’t doing that for myself.

That’s when I decided to change. Instead of focusing on my mistakes, I started being kinder to myself. When I made a mistake, I reminded myself that it’s okay to be imperfect. Now, I try to give myself the same understanding and patience I would offer a friend. It’s a small change, but it’s made a huge difference in how I feel about myself every day.

7. Change How You Think About Putting Yourself First

To live a happy life, you need to put yourself first. Prioritizing yourself will help you improve each day and become the best version of yourself. When you think, “I’m being selfish for prioritizing myself today,” counter it with, “I need to take care of myself before I can take care of others.” The biggest investment you can make is in yourself. Changing the way, you think about self-care can lead to a positive shift in your life.