There is one person that always gets lost in the shuffle of life and that person is you. We spend so much time worrying and taking care of others that the most neglected person in our lives turns out to be ourselves. It’s perfectly OK to care about others and it’s human nature to want to help people. In most situations, it’s mandatory for us to take care of other people from our spouses to kids.
But don’t forget about yourself. You’re an important part of your life because without…your life wouldn’t be life. I know it sounds simple and basic to put it that way, but it’s the truth. Over extending yourself, over exhausting yourself and overwhelming yourself with someone else’s troubles or daily habits will not benefit you. You won’t be able to function and it will eventually wear you down.
Things happen and situations change and let’s face it, stress happens. That’s why it important to know how to take care of yourself. It’s important that you take the time to yourself and do something for yourself. My time to myself is really the time I take to workout for myself, alone. That’s a huge reason why I love to run. It’s just me and the road, even when I’m out there with others…it’s just me and my thoughts.
This time allows me to check in with myself. That’s the time when the noise of the day/week/month settle down and I can work through the best and worst moments of my life.
People will find it in different places and in different forms. Every week my mom has a hair appointment she’s not going to miss. I have friends that have special moments of the week where they spend time with their kids one on one. I know someone who will sit down and read a few dozen books. It’s completely personal and all that matters is you are taking the time to be completely selfish and find your solace in life. It’s that one thing you can do for yourself that allows you to check-in with yourself.
Taking the time to check-in with yourself is important and should be something that happens often, even if it’s just for 20 minutes a day. Schedule your time in your day/week and try your very best to not miss that appointment. Physical health is VERY important but a person’s mental health is important too. I feel like it’s often overlooked and pushed to the side. Don’t let this part of your healthy lifestyle get pushed to the side.
Selfishness is considered an undesirable quality, but this is the one time it’s OK to be this way. There are moments in life where you have to put yourself first because if you’re always putting others needs ahead of yours, you’re not taking care of yourself. You’re people pleasing and playing second/third/fourth fiddle to everyone else. And you’re disrespecting yourself greatly. You wouldn’t let someone else disrespect you, so don’t allow yourself to do something that you put up with in everyday life.
How can you be the best version of yourself if you don’t know who you are, what you’re thinking and definitely how you’re feeling. Life is busy and you get lost in the shuffle, but take the time for yourself. It will change your life in a positive way, I promise. And we all want to be happy in life, right?
What is one way you stop and check-in with yourself? Is this something you do often? Do you think it makes a difference?
