If you’re anything like me, you have always done everything you possibly could for others. Whether it be lending a helping hand, or going out of your way to give someone a ride, you always try to go above and beyond for others. Being there for others can have great results. It can create close friendships, strengthen bonds, and make yourself feel good because you made someone smile. It can also have negative outcomes like being walked over, being taken advantage of, and it can also result in never having a shoulder to lean on when you yourself are in need. It’s time you stop putting others before yourself, because no one has the right to make you feel worthless.

I’m not saying don’t do anything for others and never be a good friend. When you constantly bend over backwards for someone and always cater to their needs, they’ll always expect that of you. You will give and give to others and receive nothing in return, even when you need it most. I once saw a quote on social media that read, “That’s the problem with putting others first; you’ve taught them you come second.” You don’t come second. It’s time you finally start putting yourself first.

Putting yourself first is not a selfish thing to do. Sometimes you have to stand your ground and know your worth. You don’t deserve to be constantly let down by those you care about, because they put themselves before you. You don’t deserve to feel worthless. You don’t deserve to be taken advantage of. You deserve to feel important, cared about, and loved. If the people in your life can’t give that to you, then you need to let go and move on.

Putting yourself first is not always the easiest thing to do. For those who have big hearts, we hate telling someone, “No.” It can also be lonely too, because people hate hearing the word “no” just as much as we hate saying it. Saying “no” doesn’t mean that we don’t care, or that we don’t want to help. It’s freeing. It’s giving ourselves power and realizing that we aren’t puppets, letting anyone and everyone pull our strings. We are taking control and putting ourselves first, because we deserve it. We deserve better.