Making yourself a priority isn't selfish—it's essential. As a wellness coach, I've learned this lesson the hard way. I used to run on empty, believing that caring for others meant neglecting myself. But, as they say, you can't pour from an empty cup.

💫 Here are 5 things I do daily to put myself first. I'm sharing them hoping they inspire you to find your own rhythm.

1. I Create Sacred Me-Time Daily

Every single day, I carve out space for joy and restoration. Sometimes it's 10 minutes of coloring, sometimes it's journaling my thoughts, meditating, or yes—even DMing those hilarious reels to my friends. The intention matters more than the activity. This isn't about grand gestures, but consistent moments of connection with myself. Whether I'm sipping my coffee in silence before the day begins or taking five deep breaths in my car after an errand or appointment, these small pockets of time add up to profound shifts in how I feel.

2. I Honor My Energy with Mindful Responses

I give myself permission to pause before saying yes to social invitations. Sometimes I take an hour, sometimes a whole day—whatever I need to check in with my energy levels. I add these decisions to my calendar too; they're part of my week. I've learned that saying no, even last minute, is self-compassion and not failure. This practice helps me show up more authentically when I do say yes, rather than going through the motions while mentally and emotionally checked out. My friends appreciate the real me over the obligated me.

3. I Move My Body with INTENTION

I set hourly timers during work days to get up and move. My mind as well as my body crave these breaks more than I used to realize. On off days, I make these reminders less frequent but they're still there—sometimes I need that nudge to get off the couch and reconnect with my body and the world. I’ve realized that movement doesn't have to be monumental or hard. It can be walking to the kitchen to refill my water bottle, stepping outside to sit in the sun for a few minutes, or simply stretching my arms above my head. These micro-movements signal to my nervous system that I'm paying attention and caring for my whole body.

4. I Brain-Dump with Purpose

I use a task organization app (I swear by Todoist) to transfer thoughts from my mind to paper. Part of this includes limiting myself to 3 low-to-medium sized tasks per day, scheduling others for the future. I've learned to be realistic about what I can accomplish and my future self thanks me for this. This practice does two things: it frees up mental space by getting the endless to-do loop out of my head and it helps me set boundaries with my own expectations. When I consistently accomplish what I set out to do, I build trust with myself rather than re-evaluating my self-worth.

5. I Give Myself Permission to Pivot

I allow space in my schedule and to-do list to move things around based on what I actually need in the moment. Maybe I planned to meal prep but my brain is on fire and it's the perfect time to write that article instead. Or perhaps I scheduled work tasks but realize I desperately need more me-time today. I give myself permission when it’s an option to shift as needed when life gets full or my energy is wanting something different. I used to consider this being flaky or lazy, but honestly it's about being responsive to my authentic needs. Rigid schedules can become another form of self-neglect when they don't allow for the imperfection of being human.

These practices aren't about perfection—they're about progression. I started with one that felt most doable and built from there. My relationship with myself is the longest one I'll ever have, so I'm making it a loving one.

If these five don't all speak to you, that's completely okay! Use them as inspiration to create your own ways of prioritizing yourself. The goal isn't to follow my blueprint perfectly—it's to honor what your unique self needs to thrive.

Ready to dive deeper into making yourself a priority? I'd love to connect and support you on this journey. Reach out to explore how we can work together to create sustainable wellness practices that honor who you are.

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