Welcome to the world.
A world that doesn't stop moving whether you reside on it or not. A world where even though people have your back, you are the only one who can truly take care of and maintain your own life.

No one else's job is to look after you, make sure you're thriving, and making the correct decisions.

It's so easy to get caught up in putting our happiness on the back burner, and everyone else's right in the front. Doing this every now and then is obviously understandable, but living life like that isn't.

I am the type of person that will sacrifice my own happiness or joy to see someone else happy. Even if it means doing something I wasn't really interested in, I still do it. This is not the way to live. Seeing people happy because of you is a great feeling, but not ever being able to keep yourself happy is not healthy.

Of course, it's easy to be approached with a question or situation and say yes out of pity, sympathy, or just because you're used to saying it. However, sometimes you really need to sit back and think about the effect it will have on you.

It's not always ideal to tell someone no, especially if they're used to you saying yes. But there's the problem. People get so used to you saying yes that they're disappointed when you say no. Then, you're caught in an endless cycle of always having to please them or else you feel horrible. Putting your happiness, your importance, or your health first is never something to feel bad about.

As I said earlier, you are so important. You are the only one responsible for yourself at the end of the day. If everyone were to leave your life, you would have only you to care for yourself. Why wait until you're at that point to start putting yourself first?

And no, I'm not saying that doing things for others is wrong or stupid. When people help the less fortunate or their community or even just occasionally helping people in their lives, it's a really special thing. But constantly being everyone else's financial source, taxi, and happiness controller is a lot of stress.

When people expect more instead of just waiting for it to come, it takes a toll on you.

Picture it as weight. All of these different weights are being put on your shoulders, and your own weight is slowly being pushed to the bottom. When it's time to take all the weight off, everyone else's is easily removed and yours is stuck at the very end. Now your shoulders are hurting, your mind is strained, and you still haven't solved your own problems.

Try saying no once in a while, stop doing things that you really don't want to do, and make yourself come first.

Yes, people are important. But keeping yourself happy and healthy is more important than anything else.