Self Improvement: How to Make You a Priority

What do I do now?

When you have spent your life raising a family and taking care of everyone else, what do you do when it’s just you? The kids are older and have lives of their own and you have spent your life taking care of everyone else. Well guess what? It’s time to take care of you.

At first I felt lost…. For a while…. then I realized it was my time. I had struggled with being selfish and felt like by focusing on me, I was doing something wrong. Well, I have now come to grips with the fact that is okay to take care of myself and wonder why I didn’t do it before.

I spend a lot of time on personal development. I love to read and explore ways to improve myself. There is nothing wrong with wanting to become a better person, or understand who you are. By doing so, you actually make a positive impact on the lives of other’s; whether you ever know it or not. There are so many great books by positive, life reflecting authors. Pick an area of your life you would like to improve or understand; whether it is time management, anger management, pain management, dealing with rejection, smiling, being positive, humor, focusing on goals, learning a foreign language, a new hobby or interest. Self improvement is any area of your life you would like to make a change. Usually when I read something it is common sense that I knew but somehow dismissed. You know you get overwhelmed with the big picture and forget the small details. Self improvement books have really just been reminders or mind jugglers’ to get me focused. Life is simple but at times, we make it far too complicated.

Think of something you have always wanted to do, but somehow never found the time or nerve to try. Then take that leap of faith, and just do it. If you fail, get up and try again. If you find it wasn’t what you really wanted to do, then go to the next thing on your bucket list.

Go shopping for you! Pick out an outfit that makes you feel special. One that maybe you would not normally choose. Find your style, create a new you! Same with your hairstyle try something a little out of the norm; maybe even add a few highlights. Get a manicure or pedicure, even better yet, a massage. Relax, you deserve it.

It’s okay to focus on what makes you happy. It’s okay to pamper yourself, pat yourself on the back, or just think, wow, I am really proud of me right now.

You spend your life trying to please others, live up to their expectations, follow their schedule and lose track of who you are. I remember thinking, after my kids were gone, “What do I like?” I focused so hard on everyone else’s wants and needs that I had no clue what mine were. Find yourself and follow your dreams. Don’t focus on perfection, just personal reflection. It’s your life go and enjoy it!