5 Reasons Why You Need to Put Yourself First
“We Cannot Put Forth Our Best Selves If We Have Forgotten To Nourish Our Own Souls.”
Self-care, a word that is often given the negative connotation of being an act of selfishness. A way for women to avoid their responsibilities by escaping into a hot bubble bath with a good book or running away for a weekend alone.
But here’s the truth, self-care is not selfish, it is necessary.
You spend so much of your day focusing on the needs of others that you lose sight of your own. Don’t get me wrong, serving others is a beautiful practice of faith and love, but you also need to remember to do the same for yourself. You cannot put forth your best self if you have forgotten to nourish your own soul.
In the end, the importance of self-care does not lie in what you are doing, but in why you are doing it.
Here are 5 Reasons Why You Need to Put Yourself First:
Soul Connection
When you take the time to slow down, and be in the presence of your own company, you give yourself an opportunity to connect with yourself on a deeper level. A soul level. And that is the most important part of us that we can connect to as our soul is the sacred holder of our truth.
Presence & Mindfulness
Slowing down, and taking the time to nurture yourself, forces you to be mindful and present. As women we are constantly finding ourselves running from one thing to the next, but when we take time for ourselves it teaches us to be mindful of how we are spending that time and allows us an opportunity to be fully present.
Self-Discovery
You cannot discover who you truly are, if you do not take the time to get to know yourself. When we neglect ourselves, we often forget about the very things that make us who we are. Self-care is a way to remember. Remember what YOU love. What your passions are. What sets your soul on fire. When you care for yourself, you get the opportunity to meet yourself over and over again.
Productivity
In today’s busy world we have been programmed to believe that the only way to be productive is to hustle. Instead, we need to normalize the concept that it is through rest that we are able to be more productive. When you take the time to decompress, connect to your deeper truth, and find inspiration in the stillness, you can take on your upcoming tasks and projects with more clarity and productivity.
More Capacity to Give
You cannot fill others up from an empty cup. If you are exhausted, overwhelmed, and drained you will not have the energy or capacity to care for others. You have to learn to prioritize your own wellness and needs, because when you care for yourself first, you have more capacity to care for others.
Gratitude. Joy. Contentment. Purpose. These are all found in your ability to love yourself. When you take the time to honor what you need, to really listen to what your soul is telling you, you open yourself up to the life you have always dreamed of. Loving yourself first, is the key to happiness.
Stacey Foley is a Certified Meditation & Spiritual Wellness Teacher, Inspirational Speaker & Wellness Blogger.