Why It's Important to Put Yourself First
According to the National Institute of Mental health, 1 in 5 American adults struggle with a mental illness.
Out of the 51 million U.S. adults who struggled with their mental health in 2019, only about 44% received treatment.
Are you one of the millions of adults who struggle with their mental health and aren't getting any help with it? You're not alone in this struggle and making the time to put your mental health first is vital.
Self-care brings a lot of benefits. Keep reading to learn about the importance of self-care and mental health and why you should put yourself first.
You're in Charge of Your Own Life
At the top of the list of reasons why you should put yourself first is that you're the only one living your life. Your choices are yours to make, so why wouldn't you choose to do what feels fight and makes you happy?
If you spend all of your time trying to please others and always leave yourself last, you'll end up feeling miserable. It's not your job to make others happy, just as it isn't anyone else's job to make you happy.
The direction your life takes is up to you, so make choices that help you feel good about yourself and do what makes life exciting for you.
Putting Yourself First Can Improve Your Relationships
Taking care of yourself isn't just good for you. It can be good for the people in your life as well. If you aren't in the best place mentally or emotionally, it can impact your relationships with other people.
Taking care of your needs and loving yourself will help you better love others. When you treat yourself with kindness, you're showing others the standard they should treat you also.
Putting yourself first means setting boundaries with partners, friends, and family. This practice is the most important part of developing healthy relationships.
There are many journaling ideas about relationships to explore here. Expressing your needs and setting boundaries are topics you can explore through writing, making approaching the conversation with your loved ones easier.
It Can Improve Your Health
Putting yourself first means taking care of your health too. Avoiding stressful or triggering situations is one way of taking care of your mental and physical health.
Knowing your limits means getting rest when needed and avoiding burnout. If you're struggling to find time to take care of yourself, you should consider checking out a self-care zine or self-care workbook.
These booklets often offer ideas and exercises that focus on improving your mental wellbeing.
You'll Gain Confidence
When you start to put yourself first, you'll begin to gain more confidence. Having confidence is important. It'll give you more motivation to achieve your goals and the resilience to handle any curveballs life throws your way.
Feeling more confident can help you develop a positive body image. Confidence teaches you to feel comfortable in your own skin. You'll learn to be kind to your body no matter what struggles you're having.
If you've been struggling with body image, consider purchasing a body-positivity journal for tips on how to appreciate your body.
Putting Yourself First Allows You to Grow
Another important reason why you should put yourself first is that it's the only way to grow. You're never going to pursue your dreams or explore your interests if you're always putting others first.
It's your responsibility to make the changes you want so you can grow in your personal and professional life. No one else is going to come and set you on the path you're meant to go on.
A mental health zine is a great way to start making progress towards growth. Whether you're looking for a tangible way to understand your anxiety or for ways to practice more gratitude, we have all kinds of zines you'll love.
You'll Learn Who You Are
Putting yourself first helps you learn more about yourself each day. Learning who you are is vital to becoming a happier person.
When you know who you are, saying no will become easier. Saying no when you don't want to do something shouldn't be seen as selfish. It's how you take care of yourself and put your wellbeing first.
The more you get to know yourself, the more you'll learn about your likes and dislikes and ideas for self-care.
Self-care will look different for every person. You might feel happiest staying in bed and watching movies all weekend long, or you might feel at your best taking a hiking trip, for example.
It Teaches You Who Belongs in Your Life
As you begin to look within and listen to your own needs, you'll start to realize the relationships that serve you and the relationships that have been dragging you down. As you gain confidence removing yourself from toxic relationships becomes easier over time.
Why You Should Put Self-Care and Mental Health First
Putting self-care and mental health first is vital to your wellbeing. Putting yourself first is important because it'll teach you who you are and improve your relationships with others.
Get started on the self-care journey by checking out some of our zines. We cover topics like mental health, self-care, and body image. Contact us with any questions you may have about our zines or journals; we'll be happy to help.
Image credits:
Mettanoia #9 Mental Health and Self Care Strategies by Shea Pederson
This is Me Feminism Art Zine by Kristyna Baczynski
