It’s Okay to be Selfish (Sometimes)

We’re taught to pay it forward, be generous with our time, and to give, give, give. Once in a while, though, we should be allowed to be a little selfish. Think of all the times we kick ourselves for skipping laundry day, again, because of a last-minute invitation that just couldn’t be turned down, or at least so we thought. Perhaps when you feel like you haven’t had any time for yourself lately, you’re totally right. There are any number of ways that it can be difficult to be selfish, but if you recognize how silly it is not to be, you might be able to look out for yourself without feeling guilty about it. It’s okay to do you, boo. It could even be better for your health.

Don’t feel bad about catching some Zs

Let’s be totally honest here, sleep is the absolute best. If you’re not getting enough sleep, you definitely need to make that a priority. If you’re constantly tired, how can you do your best work?  If you need to, go to bed early, and don’t be afraid to sleep in during the weekend. You know what, go a step further and put your phone on silent, and don’t check it until you’re actually ready to start your day ” after a fresh cup of coffee, perhaps?

It’s okay to stop working after business hours

Look, they’re called business hours for a reason. It can be really difficult to actually be off duty when there’s a lot of work to be done, but remember that you don’t actually have to work after hours (unless you want to.) Working 24/7 isn’t healthy, and ever the most diligent workers need a break from time to time, even if you have been known to check on your work emails at midnight.

Need some alone time? Go for it

It can be hard not feel obligated to invite friends over, go to a party, or fill your calendar to the point of double-booking events, especially when you’ve got FOMO. However, if you need time to yourself to recharge or just be alone with your thoughts, you should absolutely spend some time solo. It’s okay to spend an uneventful evening binge-watching Netflix shows or catching up on your reading. Besides, good friends will understand if you’re not out every weekend.

Being selfish in relationships is okay

So many people stay in friendships or relationships because they’re afraid of hurting someone’s feelings. However, this can mean that we end up hurting ourselves. Any good relationship is a two-way street ” there’s a give and take, and each person brings something to the table that keeps the relationship going. However, if a relationship is no longer serving you, whether it’s a romantic relationship or friendship, it is totally okay to end it. Sometimes relationships just run their course, and you shouldn’t feel guilty if that happens. It might not be the most pleasant thing to do, but you’ll be better for it in the end.

You don’t always have to say yes

If you’re the kind of person that just can’t say no, whether it’s taking on a larger workload or sticking around for one more drink because a friend asked, even though you just want to slip on some pyjamas and go to bed ” I’m talking to you. Trying to please everyone all the time can be really stressful, and it can take a toll on your well-being. And if you’re worried that saying no will have a negative effect on your relationships, whether they be at work or your personal life, you might be surprised to know that people don’t always expect you to say yes to everything. It’s okay to turn things down.