The Importance of Choosing Yourself E21

Choosing Yourself: A Guide to Self-Care, Self-Love, and Fulfillment.

Self-awareness

Journaling can be a great way to express yourself in a safe and non-judgmental space. It allows you to recognise and understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours; reflect on your experiences and how they make you feel.

Make an effort to connect with others. Building relationships with people can help you understand different perspectives, learn from those around you, and develop empathy. Being open-minded and listening actively are essential skills for connecting with others in meaningful ways.

Self-awareness helps you to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for improvement, and make better decisions. It is an integral part of emotional intelligence that allows you to better understand yourself and how you interact with others.

Setting Boundaries

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it may be time to be honest and set some boundaries. It involves establishing limits for acceptable behaviour and communicating with yourself and others. Setting boundaries allows you to protect your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing by saying no when necessary. Boundaries can be flexible, but it’s important to be consistent to maintain respect and trust. Establishing boundaries takes practice, but it’s a key component of self-care that can lead to greater self-confidence and improved relationships.

Making time for yourself and prioritising your needs

We all have times when we feel we need to take a step back. When you put yourself first, you will be better equipped to handle any situation that arises in your life.

Integrate recognising and honouring your own needs before those of others in your life. Prioritising your needs allows you to take care of yourself emotionally, mentally, and physically so that you can be the best version of yourself.

Start small by taking a few minutes each day for yourself, whether reading a book or going for a walk. These small steps can make all the difference in helping you prioritise your needs and lead a healthier, happier life. It can also provide an opportunity for creativity, exploration, and reflection, leading to greater self-awareness.

Learning to Say No and Avoid People Pleasing

Recognising when you need to set boundaries and stand up for yourself, even if it means disappointing someone else. Saying no can be difficult, but protecting your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing is necessary.

Learning to say no and avoid people pleasing can be a daunting task. Still, it is absolutely essential for maintaining healthy relationships and taking care of yourself. People pleasing often results in sacrificing your own needs to please others, leading to resentment and overcommitting yourself–and burnout!

Do you really need to agree to extra hours on top of your workload or meet up with a friend if you need respite? Remember that you have the right to prioritise yourself and your needs. Setting boundaries is key – know when it’s time to say no, even if it means disappointing someone else in the process.

Being Mindful of Your Emotions

Taking the time to reflect on your feelings can help you make healthier choices, allowing you to take control of your life and create positive change. Everyone experiences negative emotions at times, but being mindful can help us understand why we feel a certain way and how we can work through it.

Being mindful of your emotions can help you be more aware of how you feel, allowing you to respond rather than react in difficult situations. It also enables you to recognise patterns in your behaviour that can lead to greater self-awareness and improved relationships with others.

Take a few moments each day to check in with yourself and be mindful of your emotions.

Cultivating Self-Compassion

Cultivating self-compassion is an important part of self-care. It involves treating yourself with kindness and understanding, even in difficult situations. Self-compassion can help you recognise and accept your imperfections without judgement or criticism. It’s an essential step towards personal growth and improved relationships with others.

Be kind to yourself! Self-care is vital for managing stress levels and maintaining emotional wellbeing. Talk to yourself in a loving and understanding way. Remind yourself that it’s ok to make mistakes and that you are worthy of love and acceptance. You can learn to cultivate self-compassion and lead a more fulfilling life with consistent practice.

Tamu is passionate about helping freelance, entrepreneurial women learn to take care of their needs, embrace who they are and foster a trusting relationship with themselves. She has an insatiable curiosity about life and loves learning new things.

Tamu is filled with awe and wonder about the fact that we are part of this incredible planet – a floating rock covered in soil and water only protected by the ozone layer. She recognises this is a privilege, as her parents and ancestors worked hard to create this opportunity for her despite living in an oppressive system.

Tamu wants to help other women embody this privilege too.

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