5 Ways to Make Yourself a Priority

Like many women, putting yourself first is a habit that you don’t always make time for. As a matter of fact, you may not have practiced self-care for years – or perhaps even decades. You probably know that you should be doing it - what’s the saying? “You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others.”  

The good news is that when you do commit to putting your own needs as a priority, it becomes so much easier to get the results you want in your life. Sure, it might feel awkward, or even indulgent, at first, but the more you practice focusing on your needs, the easier it becomes. And before you know it, you might be surpassing your monthly income goals, losing that last 10 pounds, or gaining the confidence to finally join a local networking group. When you prioritize your own needs, it allows you to shine in many areas of your life.

Therefore, to become the best version of yourself, it is crucial to regularly make self-care a priority. In addition to taking care of your physical health, here are 5 habits that I suggest you practice regularly:

1. Ask for help when you need it.

Many women find it difficult to ask for help. Most of us are so used to doing everything ourselves, we forget that we are surrounded by loving, capable people who just need to be asked. There is never a good reason to deal with the stress of a full plate or difficult situation by yourself. Asking for help from those you love is not a sign that you are incapable or weak. It just means that you are human. 

2. Set boundaries with people.

Setting clear boundaries around your time and others’ expectations of you is a game-changer. When you don’t set clear limits around what is acceptable, it shows others that you undervalue how important you are. By respecting yourself, you teach others to respect and value you as well.

3. Aim for B- work. 

I first learned about the idea of aspiring to do B- work when I was getting certified as a Life Coach. The very thought of doing things 80% perfect made me feel a little panicked. I was so used to striving for perfection, and judging myself when I didn’t achieve it, I couldn’t imagine living my life just slightly above average.

But a funny thing happened when I tried it: I learned that when I didn’t focus on doing everything perfectly, I felt a little lighter. I got more done and had more time to do things that I wanted to do. I wasn’t as stressed and was able to prioritize things better. Ironically, my life became a little more perfect because of it.

4. Do something you love most days.

It doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Spending just 30 minutes during the day doing something that you love can leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. Most people have some sort of hobby or interest – even if it’s been years since you’ve indulged. Do you love old movies? Gardening? Crossword puzzles, or long baths? It really doesn’t matter what it is, if it makes you happy, do it! Life is too short not to.

5. Be grateful

My last suggestion for self-care is to be thankful, on purpose, every day. It is too easy to focus on all the things that you don’t have, the things that go wrong, and the failures you experience. But when you make an effort to focus on the positive things around you, you start living from a place of abundance and gratitude. You’ll find yourself noticing more good in yourself and others, and the world will become just a little more pleasant to live in.