It's Ok To Put Yourself First | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

It's Ok To Put Yourself First

You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep others warm.

147
It's Ok To Put Yourself First
Pexels

Saying last week was the worst week of my life is an understatement: two anxiety attacks, crying on the phone with my parents, everything that could go wrong did. I've been putting other people's happiness above my own by putting their needs above mine.

A wise friend once told me, "You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep others warm." And, honestly, I've been doing that more than ever this week.

So, in order to keep all of this from happening again, here is how I'm going to make changes to save my sanity.

It's ok to say no. Anyone that tells you otherwise is not your friend, and they are not taking your best interest at heart. If a friend wants to hang out, but you're straight-up exhausted, just say no. Your mental and physical wellbeing should be valued.

Your opinion is the only one that matters. The decisions you make doesn't concern the people around you. You decide who you want to be friends with, and you decide who you want to date; your relationship is only between you and your significant other. Also, you decide who you want to bring to parties; it's none of your friend group's decision. Don't let anyone tell you who you're supposed to be with and what you're supposed to think.

You're here for a reason. Being in college, you're here for an education. Issues with your boyfriend and friends don't matter; those issues are extra. You're here to get a degree, not obsess over what your boyfriend said yesterday.

You're alive for a reason. No matter how hard things get, you belong here. People want to see you live, prosper, and most importantly, happy. Life is hard, but you can get through it.

Find a support system. It's best that these people get along, but that doesn't always work; not everyone is going to get along. You need to find those individuals who stick around for both the bad days and the good days. You need people who will stay with you no matter what.

Be your own person. Don't say you like certain things to please others. Don't pretend you're someone you're not. If people don't like you for you, they are not worth your time. they are not worth taking away your happiness.


At the end of the day, you deserve to be happy, no matter what. This is YOUR life, and you, and only you are in control of it. If you aren't happy with how things are going, don't sit around and wait for things to change on their own. You have to make the change for yourself.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1234
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

744
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199897
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20687
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments