It’s so easy to get caught up in a cycle of pleasing everyone. It’s like you have a good heart and you want to see the people around you happy. You want to help people. You pour into people. You show your love.
Unfortunately, sometimes, you find yourself doing more than necessary. Sometimes, those people you bend over backwards for aren’t people that you can count on. Sometimes the people you go above and beyond for love what you do for them, but would never do it for you.
Often times you’re there for people because it’s in your heart to do so, when is enough, enough? At some point, when you continue to extend yourself to people who don’t appreciate you, you get hurt in the end. See, you expect people to be there for you like you are for them, while they expect you to be there for them no matter what.
At times, it’s good to sit back and reflect on your actions and the actions of those around you. It’s worth setting time aside to observe and recap the actions and intentions of those around.
But even with evaluation in mind, it’s most important to love on you. Loving yourself is so powerful. When you learn to be intentional about loving yourself, you discover so many things. You learn things about yourself and you learn about your surroundings as well.
This week, I challenge you to focus on you. Here’s a few ways that you can:
Get to know you!
Spending time with a piece of paper and questions for yourself is so therapeutic. Take a piece of paper and write down some things. Write down 10 things you love about yourself. Write down your strengths and weaknesses. Write down your wins and losses, goals and dreams. I mean really, write it down. You’ll be surprised to learn about you.
Treat Yourself
Do something special for you! Pat yourself on the back. Make you happy for the day. Do something that you find lots of joy in. Have fun. Let go!
Say “No”
Say “NO”. This two letter word sets boundaries and creates a better space for the mind. You deserve to protect you. “No” gives you power, even discipline. So use it. It’s healthy for you to do so.
Don’t Beat Yourself Up
If you happen to make a mistake let it go. Don’t try to compare yourself to what is and what isn’t. Treat yourself well. Encourage yourself and keep going.
Accept That Everyone Won’t Like You
You weren’t made to be liked’. Of course we all need a friend and someone who digs the person we are, but everyone doesn’t have to like you. If someone has a problem with you, let that be their problem. How they feel about you has nothing to do with you. Just be amazing for yourself.
Take Care of Your Mind and Body
Workout. Try new adventures. Research. Learn new things. Feed your mind positive messages. Invest in yourself. Stay moving. Challenge your habits. Do it all and do it all for you!
You matter before anyone else. So, treat yourself as such! Love on you and stay surrounded by those who love you, genuinely as well.