Putting yourself first is easy for some and difficult for others. I fall into the group that has difficulty putting myself first. The worst part is, I don't have a reason to not prioritize myself and my well being. I don't have kids, which is one of the only things people think is socially acceptable to put before yourself. I'm just an average college student who works part time after classes.
Over the years, I've realized that not putting myself first results in major negativity in most aspects of my life. During the school year, I gain weight, my mood becomes erratic, I'm not very organized and overall, I'm not happy. Clearly this is detrimental, which is why I'm beginning to realize why it is so important to put yourself first.
To begin with, it is so very important to make your health a priority. It can be so easy to sit on the couch and eat chips for dinner, but taking the time to prepare healthy meals, or even choosing healthier options when you eat out, makes a world of a difference. When you eat healthy foods, your whole body feels better than if you eat junk food. The same goes for exercise. It doesn't have to be much, but getting up and moving will help you more than sitting around on the couch will.
When you don't put yourself first, your emotional state suffers. When I am in the middle of the semester with no end in sight, I tend to be at my worst. I feel like I will always be stressed and sleep deprived and I will never have a time to relax. At this point, it is important to step back and think about what is causing the stress and how it can be fixed. I am a terrible procrastinator, so when I am too overwhelmed, I remind myself that I need to take the free time I have and use it for constructive things and doing school work. This way I'm not stuck pulling an all-nighter every week.
It is also important to put yourself first in your relationships with others. Whether it be a significant other, a family member, or a friend, the relationships you have in your life should be positive and uplifting. If you don't find this in one of your relationships, maybe it's time to break it off, if possible, because you deserve to be treated well and feel happy in the company of these people.
Overall, I think the biggest importance of putting yourself first is happiness. When you feel good about your body, your emotions, your friends, and your life, it tends to make you naturally happy. Other people will see this as well. When you come across as someone who loves and cares for themselves, it will make others be more receptive of you.
So take a step back from all the curve balls life throws at you and remember to make time to spend on you and you alone. You only have one body and one mind; take care of them as well as you can!
