day forty-two: putting myself first

This seems to be what holds most people back from living their own happy and healthy lifestyles. They have kids, they have car payments, they have two jobs, they have family members they are caring for, they have mortgages, they have child support payments, they have bills and rent, they have school, they have spouses, they have other priorities that come first in their lives over themselves.

I don't have those things, so most people would think I don't understand how hard overcoming those obstacles is, and maybe I don't. I have a good-paying job that is relatively not stressful. My schooling is paid for through a state-sponsored scholarship. I have money saved up to where I can take trips if I want to and buy the things I want and my bills are never late in the meantime. I understand that in my life, putting myself first isn't just easy, it's what my life is really about. That may sound selfish, or even immature, but I love that I've chosen to put myself first and make my health and happiness a priority.

And even though I don't have the mitigating factors such as kids and a mortgage to worry about, I do know that everyone can do the same if they put their mind to it. Because putting yourself first is not about ignoring the rest of the world or those that depend on you. It's about seeing value in yourself, in your life, in your well-being. I know your kids, family, pets, whatever are important to you. I know you have to work two jobs while busting your ass in school to make ends meet. I know you have bills to pay and mouths to feed. But you are also wasting away and letting that hectic life you lead become who you are.

You can't let that happen. Before you know it, you'll be forty-five and wondering where your life went. Why you don't feel good about yourself even though in reality you accomplished so much in your life. But you won't feel that you have, you'll feel wasted, you may feel like you've lived your life for others, and you have. You can't allow that to happen. You have to step up and say, "No one can make me important, but me, and it's high time I did that!"

I know not everyone can afford to buy exercise equipment or spend an hour a day on exercise. I understand that. I know not everyone can buy fresh vegetables at the store three times a week or have time to make fresh meals every day. I know not everyone can plan out everything in their week because there are outside factors that pop up to throw everything off track. I know not everyone can do those specific things, but I'm begging you to make that choice: put yourself first. At least sometimes in your life, you need to put your needs above everyone else.

No one else can find your health and happiness for you, not even doctors. You have to do it for yourself. It isn't selfish! You have one life to lead and letting everyone else live it around you, working so hard for everyone else's health and happiness is not what your life should be about. Help others, take care of others, care about others, yes, but you have to take some time, maybe only once a week if that's all you can manage, every day would be ideal, and live for you.

I found that once I realized that I am truly responsible for my own happiness and health, it became all too easy to find these things. I couldn't rely on other people pushing me to be more than I am because I just resented them telling me what to do. I had to find the power and drive within myself. I had to realize that hating myself and just living day to day just to get by wasn't making for a worthwhile existence. Only I can push myself to live a good life. And I'm finally doing it! You can, too. Don't wait. Do it now!