Ways To Prioritize Yourself!
We all have our busy schedules and to-do lists, but are you also putting yourself first when planning things?
I want you to remember that putting yourself first does not mean you are "Selfish." Taking care of yourself and tending to your needs will create a healthier and balanced life. The benefits of taking care of yourself first are amazing.
Whether you are single, in a relationship, the main provider, a guardian, and or a parent, these ways to prioritize yourself will help you to not only provide happiness and balance but give you the ability to care, give, and do more for others.
1. Analyze your current Self-Care
First, take a look at what you need. Meditate on releasing negative energy and focus on what makes you happy.
You could find something as simple as needing more alone time. You could start by communicating with family and schedule a time in the day or once a month to have time to yourself.
I recently analyzed my self-care. I learned that I needed to take more time for my mental health. I know that I can't be positive and happy 100% of the time, but the 5% when I am upset about something, I find myself furious. Realizing that I need to work on this, I am starting to see a therapist to talk about this issue and find a way to alleviate the frustration when it first is triggered to think with a clear mind.
2. Create a Checklist
Create a daily checklist of things you have to do. As you go through the day, check them off so you feel motivated by your achievement. You can add things to your checklist like work out, do laundry, or eat lunch.
I create my checklist the day before so I know what I have planned in my schedule. There are days that I get so busy and into my work that I forget to eat lunch. On top of my checklist, I take things a step further and set my alarm for things, so I am reminded to take that break. I do this for when to eat, so I put myself first.
3. Do what you Love
Incorporate what you love to do into your checklist.
One thing I love to do is listen to classical music and paint. This is a time that I am relaxed and is solely my time. I don't do it every day, but one day of the month, I take that time to get away from the traffic of life and stimulates that I am constantly coming into contact with. I add this to my monthly checklist, consisting of days for therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and massages.
4. Finish the Checklist / Forgive yourself if you Don't
Finish those tasks and don't put them off. This will make you feel so accomplished and free up time that you should be relaxing. Work on self-compassion if you don't complete all the tasks. No one is perfect, and you have tomorrow.
If I don't finish my task, I wrote for the day. I am constantly thinking about them when I should be relaxing and enjoying time with my family. I know I need to work on my self-compassion. Things come up, and I don't always get my tasks done. I have to forgive myself and remind myself that I have tomorrow to do the task.
5. Learn as you Go and Inspire Yourself
Self-care creates time because taking care of yourself mentally and physically gives your brain the time to rest and the energy to do what you have and want to do.
When I am prioritizing myself, I have learned that it positively affects my work productivity, communication, and overall health. By prioritizing myself, I realized that I can now give more time, passion, and dedication to new endeavors and projects. I find that I am also more empathetic and understanding of what others are going through and can be a listening ear.
All of these changes don't happen overnight. Remember, it takes about 66 days to make a habit, so know it will take time.
Remember, you are the only YOU in this world, so put yourself first.
Yours Truly,
Kenzie
