“Each of us has that right, that possibility, to invent ourselves daily. If a person does not invent herself, she will be invented. So, to be bodacious enough to invent ourselves is wise.”
The late Maya Angelou knew what was up when it comes to knowing who you are – and redefining what that means through the process of growth and change.
Growth we know begins with you, and being well into spring, where are you with your New Year’s Resolutions this season? Have you put them down and on the backburner or have you gone down the list? It doesn’t matter where you are as long as you keep it going even if that means starting over again.
Be Spoke Wellness Partners wrote in an article that becoming a priority in your own life can be accomplished in a few steps.
“When you think about paying attention to yourself—your dreams, your body, your mental health, and everything that has to do with you—what is it that you are thinking about?” author Limor Weinstein wrote. “How would you feel if just for one hour (and maybe we can even stretch this a little bit to one day), you only think about you and your needs? Many of us confuse taking care of ourselves with being selfish or inconsiderate, but if you truly give this some thought, you’ll realize that in order to be all that you want for everyone else you must first take care of yourself and make yourself a priority.”
Weinstein wrote that re-engaging your motivations and dreams can include a few steps like being a bit self-centered, in moderation.
Step 1: Tell yourself it’s okay to sometimes be selfish.
“While saying ‘selfish’ has negative connotations, I am using it purposely because I think that it is important that you know that it is okay to take care of yourself and attend to your needs,” Weinstein wrote adding that one thing to do is stand in front of the mirror and ask yourself: “What do I want? What do I need? How can I make myself feel better at this moment?”
Step 2: Write down several things that are priorities in your life and do them.
Step 3: Find out what is holding you back from your potential.
“For most people, fears and anxiety are at the core of why they’re not making themselves a priority,” Weinstein wrote, adding that, “whatever it is standing in your way, once again, ask yourself why.”
Step 4: What is it that will make me happy?
“Often, making yourself a priority isn’t easy and maybe it includes talking to a therapist who can help you see what it is that you really want more clearly,” Weinstein wrote.
Find more information on bespokewellnesspartners.com/.
Becoming a priority doesn’t happen by accident. Tamela Todd, a Detroit-based certified mental health coach, told the Michigan Chronicle previously that setting boundaries can go a long way.
As the owner of The Tamela C. Todd LLC Brand, the author, mental health coach and speaker recently released her latest book and course, “Healthy Boundaries: How to Say NO Without Feeling Guilty.”
Todd says that boundaries are “invisible fences” for one’s emotional, mental and physical well-being and if boundaries are not set up, people can easily “infringe on your rights and make you feel disrespected.”
Todd, who also started a mental wellness movement, “My Mental Health is NON-Negotiable,” promotes the importance of taking care of yourself first so that goals can be easily prioritized.
“I help women turn their emotional trauma into healthy habits and behaviors through my online group coaching programs,” she said. “Even when some people don’t like what you do, they will likely still respect you for standing up for what you believe in. Boundaries also generate safety in personal and business relationships. When your privacy is respected, you are more likely to feel heard, validated and appreciated.”
