Everyone has had a time in their life where they get stuck in the routine of putting other first. For me, this happened a few months ago. I started to feel unappreciated, to say the least. I was always on the phone, never letting a call go to voicemail. I was constantly in the car, picking people up and driving them to various places. I wasn't getting enough sleep and stopped doing the things that I love. I realized that the reason I felt unappreciated was because I was doing all of these great things, for the wrong people. The only person who should've been at the top of my list was me.

Major changes had to occur. I started saying no to things I would normally do and not think twice about. I realized it's okay to stay in on a Friday night and finish that book that I started months ago. It's okay to study instead of go to the mall. It's okay to go to bed instead of skype for the fourth time this week. Putting myself over other people meant some friendships had to get cut out. I had to realize that was okay. It's okay to say goodbye to people who take advantage of you and don't put in the same effort that you do.

I took all that time and energy I put into other people, and invested in myself. The dark circles around my eyes finally went away, and I had free time during the week. I slept in if I wanted to, and I could wake up early and run errands because I was in control of my life.

No friendship should suffocate you. It's not your job to go to great lengths for someone and forget about yourself. You should be in charge of your own happiness, and you shouldn't put energy into people that aren't worth it.

It's okay to put yourself first. It's okay to do things that make you happy. It's okay to cut people out who are only taking advantage of you.

You're the only person worth the world.