Most times people tend to see us as being stingy or uncaring,just because we prioritize self over them. People can really be funny and selfish a times.
About my experiences with prioritizing self-care and leisure time,countless times have I remind myself that taking care of myself is not selfish,but important and essential.Growing up,I was always the type of person who put others need before my own most times sacrificingmy own wellbeing in the process.But as I grow older and wise and more matured,I come to realize that prioritizing self-care and my leisure time is necessary for maintaining my physical,emotional and over well being.
So for me prioritizing self and leisure time means making conscious decisions about how I spend and use my time and energy,such as saying no to commitments that drain me and of course saying yes to activities amd things that nourishes me.making time for myself each day,either reading a book,taking a walk,listening to music,writing stuffs dowm or justy sitting in silence.
of the most important things I have come to learned about prioritizing self and leisure time is that you need or have to treat everyone same way without exceptions.,though some people really deserves to be an exception,but you have to earn that.What works for you else mighty not work for me and its very much okay,there was a time i had to try different things to figure out what works best for me,I used to think that I needed to spend my free time doing something like cleaning or running errands,doing this for that and all.But I come to realize that those things actually,really drain me,i get stressed,smd even with that people tend to see you as someone they can or should use,and when you are not available or couldn't do one or two for them,then you see them act their real self.,from that now I prioritize self and that bring me joy and make me feel relaxed,be it reading,writing,games,cleaning.....and all.
One important thing I learn also is that prioritizing self-care and leisure time is not a "luxury". it i s more of a necessity,cos when I am not taking care of myself, I'm more likely to get sick,become less productive,unable to be focus on work or my relationships,but when I am prioritizing self,I feel more energized,happy,relaxed and inspired ,become more focus and productive.
Truthfully speaking prioritizing self-care and leisure time is not always easy.There are demands and it can be hard to say no to commitments or responsibilities.There are often this feelings of guilt that can arise when I'm taking time for myself.But I have learnt to remind myself that taking care of myself is not selfish,it's necessary,for my own wellbeing,for my ability to show up fully at full,cos when that is not been done too,they are the ones who still ask what you've done for them,or sometimes says you too do too much... And the likes.
I also do create a routine,sometimes i include them it in my calendar, to do list and make sure I do them when its time to.I also do certain things like reading before bed or taking a walk at night,some times i just decide to eat out ir order in some food,sometimes i go shopping(and not because i have the money,it is to appreciate me,to make me feel good too).Having some kind of routine does help.
It can not always be about them.I matter too.
I have really learned to be very kind and compassionate with myself when I'm not prioritizing self enough,and its okay to have off days or weeks where I am not prioritizing myself and leisure time as much as I would like.The important thing is to acknowledge when I'm not and to make a effort to get back.
Prioritizing self and leisure time is not a luxury,it is a necessity and very essential for my own wellbeing,also its important for me to be fully effective in my relationships and work I get to be more present and effective and and be more productive and focused in my work.
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