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We live in a world where many people spend most of their time trying to please others, often forgetting themselves in the process. I used to be one of those people until I realized that constantly being available to everyone was slowly draining me mentally and emotionally. One of the most important steps I now take daily to prioritize myself is learning how to say no.
There are many people who love to engage me on a daily basis. At first, I believed that being available all the time meant being kind and supportive. Over time, I noticed that it left me exhausted, distracted, and unproductive. I was losing my peace, my focus, and my sense of purpose. I learned that when I kept saying yes to everything, I was becoming unuseful to myself. Saying no was not easy at the beginning, but I understood that if I did not protect myself, no one else would.
Learning to say no helped me stop being used and allowed me to redirect my energy back to myself and my goals.
A major turning point for me was when I started planning my day intentionally. Every day, I identify what I want to achieve and make it my priority. Before attending to anyone else, I ensure my tasks are in order. Except in emergency situations or moments where assistance is truly needed, I stay within my planned schedule and complete my goals first. This habit has helped me regain control over my time and decisions.
However, one thing I carefully guard is the understanding that prioritizing myself can sometimes be misunderstood. I know that no one can live in isolation. I cannot live without people, and I value my friends and family deeply. While I prioritize my time, I also make a conscious effort to put my friends and family into consideration. I schedule time for them and ensure that we share meaningful and quality moments together in a way that does not affect my personal well being. This balance helps me grow without disconnecting from the people who matter to me.
In setting boundaries, I make sure I am never rude. I politely schedule time for people in a way that does not interfere with my primary goals for the day. This has helped me maintain healthy relationships while still respecting my personal growth.
Prioritizing myself has greatly improved my mental health. I no longer stress myself over issues I know I do not have the capacity to settle. After work, I allow myself to rest instead of forcing myself into unnecessary outings. Occasionally, I spend time with my musical crew, which brings me joy and refreshes my mind. This balance has improved my happiness and emotional stability.
I also fix time to achieve my daily goals and equally set time for leisure and relaxation. Along the journey, some friends misunderstood my new lifestyle and had issues with me. I stayed consistent until they adjusted and understood that this was my new definition of living well. Interestingly, some of them are now adopting the same mindset.
This journey of self priority has helped me regain my self worth, inner peace, and the wisdom to avoid unfruitful company.
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