We all have experienced the feeling of being guilty of putting ourselves first in some sort of situation. I want to emphasize the importance of being okay with that and prioritizing it. We often feel the need to always please other people and make sure they are comfortable, but what about us?
As young women, we are always dealing with the stress of school, work, relationships, and other events. These can take a huge toll on our physical and mental health, whether we realize it or not. And I know it can seem like you have to be everywhere all the time, but it is okay to take things slow and prioritize time for yourself. Sometimes that’s reading a book, taking a workout class, going on a walk, or getting takeout and watching a movie. Whatever it is, make sure you take the time to do it and enjoy the time spent.
One of the hardest parts for me was learning when and how to set these boundaries. For the longest time, I had major FOMO and would constantly say yes to things even when I didn’t want to go or was so exhausted. I found myself completely drained, all because I wanted to feel included or because I didn’t want others to be upset with me. As time went on, I learned that I should prioritize my time where it is worth it with others, but also take time for myself and do things I want to do. Once I started this, I began appreciating the little things in life; I now enjoy grocery shopping, going on walks, and cooking. Knowing that doing all of these things is for me and my well-being truly changed my perspective for the better.
Doing this has made me so much happier with the things in my life, and choosing to romanticize the little things that make me happy is truly the best feeling in the world. If I could go back, I would tell my younger self that it is completely okay to not attend everything all the time;I would have saved myself so much stress over the years. With that being said, choose yourself for once and set those boundaries for your own peace and well-being.