Self

Why You Should Never Be Ashamed Of Putting Yourself First

Photo: Dean Drobot / Shutterstock
smiling woman

By Samantha Proctor

I have never been the kind of person who needs anyone else.

I always try to manage on my own as much as I can because I have learned that you simply cannot trust everyone.

Not everyone is going to care and not everyone is going to help you without always expecting something in return. So I always do my best to do things myself.

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I am a skeptic when it comes to love because I have seen how it all plays out. I know that I have so much to experience in life and when the right person comes along I will experience what is left of my life with them.

But I’m not in any hurry.

I realize that sometimes I am a little selfish. I tend to think about myself over other people at times, but I really believe that it’s okay. Because so many people in my life don’t appreciate me and I really need to take care of myself sometimes.

So being selfish when I need to be is not something I am ashamed of.

To all the people out there who, like me, are a little selfish at times and are putting themselves first, you should know that it is okay. It is good to put ourselves first and get what we want out of life.

You are responsible for yourself first. You can’t fill someone else’s glass if yours is empty.

Never be ashamed of doing what you want or need. It may not be popular with other people, but it’s not their life to live.

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You do deserve this. You deserve to live your life without anyone or anything holding you back.

Now is the time to make your dreams come true because you might not always have the opportunity. Believe in yourself and work hard, and the end might surprise you.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you are wrong for living your own life and doing what is best for you.

There is a lot of pressure to do what other people, especially your family, think is best for you. But that isn’t right.

No one knows you better than you and, therefore, you know what you should do. Never let anyone make you feel guilty for putting yourself first.

No matter if it is getting out of a toxic relationship or making a big life decision, you have to go with your heart. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.

College is the best time to explore who you are and what you want. So chase your dreams. Learn about who you want to be and the places you want to go. If you don’t want to go anywhere, it’s okay to stay where you are. But also know, it’s okay to leave if you aren’t happy.

Give yourself a chance and trust your heart. You will either be thankful or regretful. The choice is yours.

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Samantha Proctor is a writer and creator of Girl On The Go. She blogs about life, beauty, and inspiration for women.

This article was originally published at Unwritten. Reprinted with permission from the author.