The SOVA Project is happy to feature this blog post written by one in our team of fantastic SOVA Ambassadors—these are young people who help create meaningful blog posts for us to share.
One of the most important things I have learned on my mental health journey is that it’s okay to be self-centered. In fact, you NEED to be self-centered to some degree. It’s so easy to get caught up in the lives of everyone around you and lose sight of your own path.
At the beginning of 2018, I decided to make myself the focus of this year. While this doesn’t mean I neglect my friends and family, it does mean that I stop breaking my back doing things that don’t bring me joy. Here are some of the important steps I’ve taken to accomplish this goal:
- Step back. Take everybody in your life out of the equation and look at yourself and where you are in relation to your own goals.
- Prioritize. You are the most important thing in your life. Your mental health comes first, over the cares and whims of your parents, friends, and peers.
- Reevaluate. Ask yourself why you are doing something that you’re doing. What is your investment? Does it make you happy? Are you doing it for yourself, or are you doing it for somebody else?
If you want to read more, here are some links to other places that talk about how to make yourself a priority in your own life:
When our children struggle with mental health issues, it can be hard for us to remember to take care of ourselves. What are some ways you make yourself your first priority in your life? Let us know in the comments!