Yes, I know who you are. You’re the person that always puts others before yourself. You can probably count on one hand the amount of times you put yourself first.

Even when you find yourself in tough places, you find a reason to put others before you. You smile and act like nothing is wrong because you don’t want to bring others down.

But I know you and I know when you say nothing is wrong, you’re lying, aren’t you? You could have just had the worst day but you save it for when you are alone. You can’t risk bringing other people down with you.

You’re the person everyone comes to when they need advice. You’re quick to talk others through their problems and lend a helping hand. They know they can come to you in a judge free zone. You’re the friend that everyone calls on when they have a broken heart or need a pick me up. You drop whatever you’re doing when you think someone needs you.

You would do anything for the ones that mean the most to you and I think that is such an admirable trait in a person. There’s not a lot of people like that left in this world.

There’s so many people too consumed with themselves to even know or care about what is happening in the world around them. But not you, you have respect for the lives of the people around you and couldn’t imagine doing the slightest thing to change that.

I know all this because I am just like you.

I am here to tell you, living like this can actually become stressful. Even though there is absolutely nothing wrong with putting others before yourself, sometimes you need to put your dreams and your happiness above the rest.

Sometimes I wonder how much simpler somethings in life could have been if I would have put myself first. Even when we tell ourselves we are going to stop doing this, we do it anyway. You know, the thing when we put others before us even it hurts or inconveniences us.

It is actually OK to put yourself first.

It is absolutely OK to put yourself first. It does not make you any less of the wonderful person that you are. How can you let yourself always be there for others if you’re not there for yourself? It can eventually affect your physically and even more so, your mental health.

It is OK to make decisions for yourself.

Make choices that are for you. Follow your dreams and take the path that you want, not what you think others want for you. You have to at some point. Do what is best for you.

Believe it or not, you wouldn’t be upsetting those around you if you were honest when you needed help. If those people were true to you they would be willing to tend just as much of a hand when you needed it, as you are to them.

You have to find a balance. One that allows you to be the loving, caring, put others before yourself person that you are, while still being able to release your emotion as well. Still be there for others while letting them be there for you in the process.

It does not make you selfish.

Not at all. You deserve all the happiness in the world. You are counted on for so much from so many people, so it is OK to put yourself first sometimes. Don’t forget that in order to please others, you need to take some time for yourself. You’re worth it.