Getting that self respect

Earlier in the month I read an article on Facebook where the author talks about 30 things that you stop doing when you have self respect. I don't recall who wrote it, but I loved it so much that I wrote down the key points in my journal. Tonight I was flipping through and saw it and took a moment to reflect on what it means for me in my life.

I don't do a good job setting boundaries in my personal relationships with people. I don't say "yes" when I should because I'm exhausted from all of times I said yes when I really should have said "no". It is my own fault really, as I am tirelessly trying to please others while not taking care of myself when and how I should. One of the main areas of focus for my 36th year is self care and learning to love myself better.

It seems like a lifetime ago that I made time for the things that I love in life, things that made me happy which, in turn, made me a better person. I used to be carefree. I used to be down for whatever. There are so many things I used to be. I don't know when or where that changed, but I often find my mind wandering back to those days and trying to figure out where it went wrong. Yes, I said wrong! What the heck is wrong with me?! NOTHING! People change, people grow and the ups and downs I've gone through over the years have shaped me into the person that I am now. I no longer am interested in going out to bars and hanging out until early morning hours. That's okay. I prefer to hang around the house and that's okay. I like to plan things in advance and I no longer find it fun to have things pop up at the last minute. That's okay. What I really need is to just be okay with who I've become. I hear a lot of "well you used too..." yes I did, past tense.

This is the year I want to say yes when I mean and a firm no when I don't. I want to take better care of myself. I want to accept my changes and be okay with it. Haters be damned! The only approval that I need is that of myself! I will not try to get ahead of myself here, it will be hard work and it will take time. I have high hopes for this year. I believe that 36 is going to be a big year for me, one of big changes, new adventures, and so many wonderful things! I cannot wait to see what it brings and I am ready to put in the work to get there!

Until next time,

xoxo