Hey there! I get it – loving yourself first can seem selfish. But the truth is, self-love isn’t just about bubble baths and face masks (although those rock!). It’s about recognizing your self-worth so you can show up as your best self for others. When you take care of your needs and honor your feelings, you become a better partner, friend, and family member. You have more energy and patience for people you care about.
So don’t feel guilty about putting yourself first sometimes! It’s not selfish – it’s smart. And in this article, I’ll share my best tips for making self-love a daily habit. Get ready to fall head over heels for yourself!
Table of Contents
What Does It Mean to Love Yourself First?
Loving yourself first means putting your own needs and desires before anyone else’s. It means making self-care a priority in your life and not feeling guilty about it. When I started practicing self-love, I realized that I had been putting the needs of others ahead of my own for years. I was always worried about letting people down or being there for others, even if it meant neglecting myself in the process.
Loving yourself first means learning to say no. It’s about setting healthy boundaries and not spreading yourself too thin to please everyone else. I’ve found that the people who truly care about me understand when I can’t do something or need to take time for myself. Learning to say no has been. liberating and has given me more time to focus on the things that really matter to me.
Loving yourself first also means learning to accept yourself as you are instead of constantly seeking validation from others. This has been a difficult lesson for me, but I’ve come to appreciate my quirks and imperfections. I no longer obsess over what others might think about me. When you fully accept yourself, you become less affected by criticism and judgment from others.
Practicing self-care and self-love is a journey. It’s a choice you have to make every day to put your needs first. It’s about nurturing your body and mind, doing things that fill you up, and surrounding yourself with people who love and support you. When you love yourself first, you have so much more to offer to others in your life. You become a better friend, partner, and family member. Choose yourself first. You deserve it!
Read more
Put on Your Oxygen Mask First: Why Self-Love Comes Before All Else
Make your happiness a priority. If you’re not happy, how can you expect to make anyone else happy? As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Focus on doing things each day that boost your confidence and bring you joy. Start small by exercising, meditating, or pursuing a hobby. When you feel good about yourself, you’ll have more to offer loved ones.
Set Boundaries. Don’t be afraid to say “no” to demands on your time and energy that leave you drained. Make time for yourself to recharge and do things that replenish you. If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, let others know that you need to take a step back before you can be fully present for them. Strong boundaries are essential for healthy relationships.
Practice Self-Care. Take good care of yourself by maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and limiting unhealthy habits. Stay on top of medical checkups and take prescribed medications as directed. Make sure to schedule in downtime to rest when needed. When you feel physically and mentally well, you’ll have more patience and be in a better state of mind to nurture your close relationships.
Learn to love yourself. Work on accepting yourself as you are instead of chasing unrealistic societal standards. Appreciate your good qualities and the things you’re skilled at. Speak to yourself with encouragement and praise. The better you feel about who you are, the less you’ll depend on others for validation and self-worth. Make the choice each day to be gentle with yourself. You deserve that kindness.
Loving yourself first isn’t selfish-it’s essential. When your own cup is full, you’ll have an abundance of love and joy to share with the important people in your life. But it all starts with you.
The Dangers of Neglecting Your Own Needs
Putting the needs of others before your own may seem noble, but it comes with risks. When you don’t prioritize self-care, you can become resentful, burnt out, and even physically ill
I used to be a people-pleaser. I said yes to every request and went out of my way to make everyone else happy while ignoring my own needs and desires. Over time, I became exhausted, irritable, and began to resent the very people I was trying to help. It took me years to realize that by putting myself last, I was hurting not only myself but also the relationships I cared about.
Now I make sure to schedule in time for myself. Whether it’s a quiet morning routine, regular exercise, or pursuing hobbies I enjoy, I prioritize my own wellbeing. When I’m in a good place mentally and physically, I have more patience, energy, and compassion for others. I can be fully present in my relationships instead of feeling burned out or resentful.
If you find yourself constantly putting others first at the expense of your own needs, it’s time for a change. Be kind to yourself and make self-care a priority. www Talk to others about setting boundaries when you feel overwhelmed. Make time for hobbies, socializing, and relaxation. Your physical and mental health will thank you, and your relationships will become healthier and more fulfilling as a result.
Loving yourself isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Take care of your own needs so you can be your best self for the people who matter most.
Read more
Signs You May Be Putting Others Before Yourself
I used to be a chronic people-pleaser. My needs always came second to everyone else’s. If a friend needed help with something, I’d drop everything to be there for them. If my boss asked me to take on an extra project, I never said no. While it’s great to be kind and helpful, constantly neglecting yourself to meet others‘ needs is not sustainable.
You feel resentment towards others.
When I was always putting others first, I often felt resentment building up inside. I was doing so much for others but not getting my own needs met. All that resentment spilled over and caused damage to relationships.
You feel exhausted and drained.
Constantly worrying about others and not yourself leads to feelings of exhaustion, stress, and burnout. You have nothing left to give. I was tired all the time but just powered through to check more things off my to-do list.
You lack confidence in yourself.
If you’re always seeking validation through pleasing others, you may struggle with self-confidence. You start to doubt yourself and your own abilities. I had no confidence in myself because I based my worth on what I could do for others.
Your physical or mental health suffers.
When self-care is at the bottom of your priority list, your health and well-being suffer. I experienced anxiety, weight gain, and frequent illnesses. Putting myself first was vital for improving my health and happiness.
The journey to overcome being a people-pleaser and put yourself first is challenging but rewarding. Start by setting small boundaries, learning to say no, and practicing self-care. Love yourself first; you deserve it, and the people around you will benefit from your newfound confidence and joy. Make sure to put yourself first, because you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Read more
How to Prioritize Yourself Without Feeling Selfish
Putting yourself first is easier said than done. As women, were taught from an early age to be selfless -to put the needs of others before our own. But the truth is, you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t have anything left to give to the people you care about.
Make time for yourself each day. Start small by doing one thing each day just for you, whether it’s taking a bath, reading a book, or calling a friend. Once you get into the habit, add more self-care into your routine. I like to wake up 30 minutes early to do some light exercise like yoga. That time to myself helps me start my day off right.
Learn to say no. Don’t feel obligated to attend every social invitation or take on extra tasks and commitments you don’t have the bandwidth for. It’s okay to politely decline so you can make time for yourself. Saying no may be difficult at first, but your loved ones will understand. And you’ll avoid resentment and burnout by not overextending yourself.
Practice self-compassion. Many of us are so critical of ourselves that we lose sight of our inherent worth. Speak to yourself with kindness and empathy. You’re doing the best you can, and you deserve to be happy. Appreciate yourself for who you are-your strengths, your flaws, and your quirks. You’re the only you there is, so love yourself fully.
Putting yourself first isnt selfish-it’s necessary. When you make self-care a priority, youll have so much more to offer the world. You’ll be happier, healthier, and able to be fully present for your loved ones. You deserve to be at the top of your own list. Make time for yourself and learn to love who you are. You’re worth it.
Setting Healthy Boundaries
When you start putting yourself first, an important step is learning how to set healthy boundaries. I used to be a people pleaser, always saying “yes” when asked for help and sacrificing my own needs to meet others: Over time, this led to resentment, frustration, and burnout.
Learn to say “no.”The first boundary I had to set was learning to say “no.” At first, it was difficult for me, and I felt guilty. But as I practiced, it got easier. Now when someone asks me for a favor that I don’t have the time or desire for, I can politely but firmly say “no, I’m not able to do that.” Don’t feel the need to overexplain or make excuses. A simple “no” is enough.
Limit your availability. Another important boundary is not always being available to others. I used to feel like I had to respond to calls, texts, and emails right away. Now, I limit checking messages to a few times per day. I also let friends and family know that while I care about them, I may not always be able to respond instantly. Making my availability more limited has reduced stress and allowed me to focus better when I am working or spending time with loved ones.
Put your own needs first. The most significant boundary I’ve set is prioritizing my own self-care. I make sure to schedule in time each day for exercise, meditation, and pursuing my hobbies. I go to bed at a reasonable hour and limit distractions. I’ve found that when I make sure my own needs are met first, I have so much more to offer to others. I’m able to be fully present and patient in my relationships.
Setting healthy boundaries hasn’t always been easy, but it has been one of the most rewarding gifts I’ve given myself. By making my needs and limits clear to others, I’ve gained a sense of empowerment and peace. And the relationships in my life are better for it. Loving myself first has given me the ability to love others even more deeply.
Read more
Practicing Radical Self-Acceptance and Compassion
To truly love yourself, you have to accept yourself as you are – imperfections and all. This means showing yourself the same compassion you would show a close friend. For me, radical self- acceptance has been a journey. I used to be hyper-critical of myself and constantly seek validation from others. Now, I recognize my intrinsic worth isn’t defined by what I achieve or how much I weigh.
Be kind to yourself. I try to treat myself with kindness in my self-talk. When I make a mistake, instead of calling myself stupid, I say, “It’s okay, you’re learning. Now do better next time.” Speaking to yourself harshly only makes you feel worse and erodes your confidence and self-esteem over time.
Forgive yourself. A big part of self-love is forgiving yourself for past mistakes and imperfections. I used to dwell on poor decisions I made and beat myself up over them. But now I recognize that I’m human—I mess up, I have regrets, and the only thing I can do is learn from my mistakes and do better going forward. Forgiving yourself is freeing and helps you move on from the past.
Accept your imperfections. No one is perfect, so why do we hold ourselves to unrealistic standards? I have come to appreciate my quirks and imperfections as part of what makes me uniquely me. My crooked smile, the scar on my knee from that biking accident as a kid, my tendency to get overly excited about little things – these make up my imperfect yet perfectly lovable self. Focus on embracing who you are instead of chasing some idealized version of perfection.
Loving yourself isn’t easy, but it’s worth the effort. Practice self-compassion, forgive yourself for being human, and learn to fully accept yourself, imperfections and all. When you love yourself, you open yourself up to deeper relationships and find contentment from within. The journey is challenging, but the rewards of radical self-acceptance are life-changing.
Read more
Filling Your Cup First: Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
Putting myself first used to feel selfish, like I was neglecting the needs of others. But the truth is, if don’t fill my own cup first, I have nothing left to give to anyone else. Self-care is absolutely essential for my wellbeing and allows me to be the best friend, partner, and family member I can be.
Make Time for the Things You Love. Do you have hobbies or activities that energize you? For me, it’s reading, writing, and being outdoors. But over time, life’s responsibilities had crowded those enjoyments out. Now I make sure to schedule time each week dedicated just for the things I’m passionate about. Even taking 30 minutes a few times a week to do something you love can help recharge your batteries.
Practice Self-Compassion. I used to be incredibly hard on myself, constantly criticizing my mistakes and imperfections. But beating yourself up is counterproductive and makes you feel worse, not better. I’ve learned to practice self-compassion by speaking to myself with kindness and encouragement. When I mess up or feel inadequate, I say things like, “You’re doing the best you can. Be gentle with yourself.” Self-compassion builds resilience and inner peace.
Set Boundaries. As an empathetic person, I want to be there for everyone who needs me. But that mindset led to exhaustion, resentment, and burnout. I’ve realized I can’t pour from an empty cup, so I’ve gotten better at setting boundaries to protect my time and energy. Don’t be afraid to say no, delegate when you can, and leave work at work. You deserve to have a life outside of meeting everyone else’s needs. Putting my own self-care first was a hard lesson to learn, but it has made me a happier, healthier person as a result. When I nourish myself, I have so much more to offer the world. Make yourself the priority-you’re worth it!
Learning to Say No Without Guilt
Learning to say “no” without feeling guilty was one of the hardest lessons I had to learn on my self- love journey. As a natural people-pleaser, I hated disappointing others or feeling like I wasn’t being helpful. However, saying yes when I really meant no only led to resentment, stress, and burnout.
I started small by learning to say no to little requests that didn’t really matter to the other person but would inconvenience me, like staying late at work to help a coworker when I had plans. At first, it felt awkward, but with practice it got easier. I realized the world didn’t end and the other person understood.
Next, I worked on being polite but firm in my refusal. I would say something like, “I appreciate the offer, but I won’t be able to make it.” I didn’t feel the need to over-explain or make up excuses. A simple “no, thank you” is a complete sentence.
Over time, I got better at not feeling guilty for putting my own needs and priorities first. I recognized that I couldn’t be there for others if I wasn’t taking good care of myself. Saying no when needed has allowed me to open up space in my life for the things and people that really matter to me. It’s an ongoing process, but learning to say no without guilt has been life-changing and has allowed me to nurture self-love.
Putting your own oxygen mask on first isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. Make sure to carve out time for yourself and learn how to say no when you’re feeling stretched too thin. Your relationships and mental health will benefit greatly when you master this skill and make your own needs a priority. Loving yourself means doing what’s right for you without apology.
Read more
Finding Balance in Relationships When You Come First
While loving yourself is essential, it’s also important to find balance in your relationships. Here are some ways to maintain healthy connections while prioritizing your own needs:
- Be transparent about your needs. Explain to your loved ones that setting boundaries and taking time for yourself is important for your wellbeing, not a rejection of them. Honest communication helps them understand where you’re coming from.
- Compromise where you can. While self-care comes first, see if there are ways you can still support your loved ones without overextending yourself. Even small gestures go a long way.
- Quality time over quantity. Spend focused, present time with your loved ones rather than trying to be available all the time. Shorter interactions can be more meaningful.
- Check in regularly. Let your loved ones know how caring for yourself is going and ask how they’re doing. Even brief check-ins help maintain closeness.
- Accept help graciously. Don’t be afraid to accept offers of support from your loved ones. This allows you to recharge while still staying connected.
- Make time for shared self-care. Incorporate self-care into your relationships by doing relaxing activities together that benefit you both.
In the end, finding balance takes effort, communication and compassion for yourself and others. But with a loving and supportive network, prioritizing your needs first doesn’t have to come at the cost of your relationships – it can actually strengthen them.
Letting Go of Perfectionism and People-Pleasing
When you put yourself first, two habits often come to the surface: perfectionism and people-pleasing. Letting go of these can be an important part of your self-love journey.
Perfectionism sets you up for disappointment, frustration and burnout. You have to realize that striving for perfection only prevents you from enjoying life in the present. Start by accepting that imperfect progress is still progress. Focus on doing your best, not being the best.
People-pleasing comes from a need for approval that can leave you feeling unfulfilled and resentful. You have to give yourself permission to say “no” and set boundaries, even if it upsets others. Remember that you cannot truly make others happy if you aren’t happy yourself.
Try small experiments each day.
- Do one task without obsessively checking for mistakes
- Decline one request that doesn’t serve you
- Compliment yourself for one thing, mistakes and all
Over time, these little steps will add up. As you let go of perfectionism and people-pleasing, you’ll gain deeper self-acceptance and confidence. The approval you once sought from others will come from within, freeing you to love and nurture yourself first.
Read more
Final Thought
Choose yourself. Your needs matter. Loving yourself unconditionally is the greatest gift you can give others. When you fill your own cup first, you have so much more love to share. So put yourself first. Practice self-care daily. Surround yourself with those who uplift you. And never forget how worthy you are of happiness.
References
- Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health: The Consequences of Poor Self Care by Serene Health Group
- Why You Should Learn To Love Yourself First By Remy Meraz • May 20, 2022
- HOW TO PRIORITIZE YOURSELF 5 STEPS TO PUTTING YOURSELF FIRST – NO MATTER WHAT Posted by: Team Tony
Let’s boost your self-growth with Believe in Mind.
Interested in self-reflection tips, learning hacks, and knowing ways to calm down your mind? We offer you the best content which you have been looking for.