Who Is the Most Important Person In Your Life?

"When you think of the most important person in your life, you might think of one of the people you’ve committed your life to. Maybe your spouse, or a child, or a longtime friend, a parent or grandparent.

But if a family member, friend, or colleague is the most important person in your life, and everything you do is for them, then where do you come in? Are you the second most important person? Third, fourth, fifth?

You are the most important person in your life. While you might think prioritizing yourself is selfish or arrogant, I hope to convince you it’s not. In fact, it’s essential to your well-being and foundational to the other 39 questions I ask you in my new book, How Am I Doing?: 40 Conversations To Have with Yourself. Facing up to challenges, becoming intentional with your day, making better decisions, improving relationships—you can’t tackle any of those goals until you recognize the position you’re here to play.

This is not carte blanche to do whatever the heck you want. There will be situations when you’re not the priority, and it isn’t really about you. Putting someone else’s needs first can be the appropriate action in many situations. Staying up late to help your child with homework, or giving up your seat on the subway to someone who needs it, doesn’t mean you’re not the most important person. The difference is you’re moving consciously, not reflexively. You’re moving with awareness.

Try putting yourself first. Notice when and where you hesitate. Keep asking questions. Gaining more awareness of where you fall on your list of priorities is the very first step."

*I love this article because it expresses the need to put yourself first, but realizes that this isn't always feasible. You can put yourself first but realize that you have to put your thoughts second to others sometimes so that you can take care of others too. I think putting yourself first actually helps create empathy towards others. Without understanding your needs and taking care of yourself, how can you give yourself to others to help? What can you do to put yourself first more often?*

#SelfCare #PrioritizeYourself #Empathy

Please find the full article at Thrive Global.