29 Motivating Quotes to Help You Put Yourself First
No matter what’s going on in life, it’s important to not get overcome by all of the chaos. You should always allow yourself to partake in some self-care activities. Dealing life can be hard, and there are sometimes situations where you’ve had to put others—whether that’s your family, partner, work, or friends—first. However, there comes a time when you have to set those things aside and put yourself first.
If you don’t put yourself first every once in a while, it will be impossible for you to take care of anything or anyone else. Self-care is just as important in moments of chaos, if not more important, as it is in moments of calm. If you’re looking for some ways to unwind and take care of yourself even when it feels like everything else is falling apart, here are some ways to consider.
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Why is it important to put yourself first?
In case you need a reason or two to put yourself first, I’m going to share a few:
- To learn more about how to be your authentic self.
- To improve your relationship with your family and friends.
- To focus on your own happiness.
- To take a break from focusing on other people’s needs.
- To listen to the needs of your soul.
Is prioritizing yourself selfish?
Prioritizing yourself is not a selfish act. In fact, you should find as many ways as possible to practice self love. Encourage yourself to be the best version of yourself by focusing on quotes that motivate you to prioritize yourself. Putting yourself first is important for your mental health. To maintain inner peace, you have to take care of yourself as you take care of others. You’ve heard this saying over and over, but you can’t pour from an empty vessel. So, do what you need to do to take care of yourself.
A great way to achieve peace of mind in the midst of all the chaos around you is to make yourself a top priority. You are the only person responsible for making sure that you are well, so don’t ever hesitate to indulge in an act of self-care or do something, big or small, to make yourself a priority.
What are some ways to make yourself a priority?
1. Take care of you…Literally.
Sometimes, when we look put together, we feel put together. If you’ve been busy and you’ve neglected tasks like getting your hair cut or getting a good body exfoliation in, make sure you make time to complete these tasks. Take a moment and really take care of yourself. Taking care of personal hygiene tasks like nail care and hair care can factor heavily in your mood and confidence, which can in turn help you during this tumultuous time.
Pro Tip: Subscribe to a monthly self-care box like this one from Therabox to make it even easier to focus on taking care of your self-care needs.
2. Cleanse your space, as well.
Oftentimes, when we encounter difficult times, we can neglect normal household tasks like mopping, dusting, and tidying. If this sounds like you, make sure you take some time to do a good, thorough clean of your environment. A quick tidy or a thorough clean can be especially important if you are working from home. This can help with your mental clarity and it can make day-to-day life much easier going forward.
3. Give yourself a gift that only serves YOU.
Often, at the holidays or other gift-giving days, we will ask for items that only serve a functional purpose or that are things your entire family needs. Take a little time to gift yourself something that is just for you. That could be something that will help you relax, like a scented candle, or something that will help you achieve a certain personal goal, like a yoga mat.
If purchasing a gift for yourself isn’t in the budget, check out these free self care ideas that are simple and effective.
4. Make sure there’s a day on your calendar with nothing on it.
So often, we schedule appointments, events, and meetings into every spare moment we have. As a new rule of thumb, try not to schedule anything on at least one day a week. Use that one day to take care of anything that has fallen by the wayside the rest of the week. Trust me—future you will thank you for this gesture.
No matter how you choose to show care to yourself, it is important that you carve out some time to do so. Reinvigorating your mind, body, and soul through self-care can provide you with the energy and patience necessary to tackle life’s challenges, both big and small. Keep these tips in mind as you try to practice self-care during this crazy time.
What are some quotes to help you take care of yourself?
Inspirational quotes can be a great source of motivation. Here are some quotes that will help you learn to make put your own life at the top of your priority list:
Know what matters most to you and be unwilling to compromise those priorities at almost any price. -Frank Sonnenberg
If you are feeling low, or trampled, unappreciated, or forgotten…and you are reading this, realize it is an illusion…the hope is real…you are valued…and what lies ahead…is brilliance. -Tom Althouse
The biggest lie we fall for is that it doesn’t matter. Your opinion doesn’t matter. Your choices don’t matter. Your influence doesn’t matter. Your existence doesn’t matter. You don’t matter. It is the worst, most destructive lie we ever believe, and in consequence, it wreaks extensive damage to more lives than your own. Don’t fall for that evil lie. Don’t forget that everything about you absolutely does matter. -Richelle E. Goodrich
She decided that she wasn’t going to focus on always trying to please others. She felt determined to take the time to get to know, and love, herself. And she hoped that the warm glow of appreciation she always looked for might actually come from within. -Phaedra Patrick
You are not an option, a choice or a soft place to land after a long battle. You were meant to be the one. If you can wrap yourself around the idea that you are something incredible, then you will stop excusing behavior that rapes your very soul. You were never meant to teach someone to love you. You were meant to be loved. -Shannon L. Alder
Respect, love, and value yourself. Always remember to be good to yourself by taking care of yourself. Make yourself a priority and know that it’s okay. Don’t feel guilty for loving yourself, first! You’re just as important as anybody else. -Stephanie Lahart
The most important relationship in your life is with yourself. Because no matter what happens you will always be yourself. -Diane Von Furstenberg
When you make yourself a priority, it is easier to align with who you are, the gifts you have to give, and your true purpose. -Oprah Winfrey
Always choose yourself first. Women are very socialized to choose other people. If you put yourself first, it’s this incredible path you can forge for yourself. -Rebecca Traister
When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. – Jean Shinoda Bolen
It’s very important to take care of yourself. Everyone’s lives are so busy. Take at least an hour a day to recharge and do whatever makes you better. For grown-ups, whether it’s a spa, sitting in a park with a book, or coffee, take time for yourself. – Ana Ivanovic
When you get into your car, shut the door and be there for just half a minute. Breathe, feel the energy inside your body, look around at the sky, the trees. The mind might tell you, ‘I don’t have time.’ But that’s the mind talking to you. Even the busiest person has time for 30 seconds of space. – Eckhart Tolle
Self-care is never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch. – Parker Palmer
Unless you fill yourself up first, you have nothing to give anybody. Therefore, it is imperative that you tend to your joy first. People are responsible for their own joy. When you tend to your joy and do what makes you feel good, you are a joy to be around and you are a shining example to every child and every person in your life. When you are feeling joy, you don’t even have to think about giving. It is a natural overflow. – Rhonda Byrne
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. – Maya Angelou
In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel “burnout” setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself. The point is to have long-term perspective. – Dalai Lama
Self-care has become a new priority – the revelation that it’s perfectly permissible to listen to your body and do what it needs. – Frances Ryan
You should endeavor to give your body what it needs to be healthy, your mind what it needs to be peaceful and focused, and your soul what it needs to feel content. – Dedeker Winston
Know what matters most to you and be unwilling to compromise those priorities at almost any price. – Frank Sonnenberg
You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage – pleasantly, smilingly, unapologetically – to say NO to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger YES burning inside. — Stephen Covey
It’s all about falling in love with yourself and sharing that love with someone who appreciates you, rather than looking for love to compensate for a self-love deficit.”— Eartha Kitt
The most important investment you can make is in yourself. Very few people get anything like their potential horsepower translated into the actual horsepower of their output in life. Potential exceeds realization for many people … The best asset is your own self. You can become to an enormous degree the person you want to be.”— Warren Buffett
Self-care is the non-negotiable. That’s the thing that you have to do. And beauty is the thing that can be the benefit of the self-care. Beauty is not the point. Beauty is just a cute side-effect from self-care.”— Jonathan Van Ness
If you want to live an authentic, meaningful life, you need to master the art of disappointing and upsetting others, hurting feelings, and living with the reality that some people just won’t like you. It may not be easy, but it’s essential if you want your life to reflect your deepest desires, values, and needs.”— Cheryl Richardson
For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. -Michelle Obama
I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet. -Mahatma Gandhi
If you do not love yourself, you will not attract the love you want. If you are not kind to yourself, others will not be kind to you. Whatever it is that you believe about yourself is what the world, and the people around you, will offer you. -Iyanla Vanzant
You not only have a right to be an individual. You have a responsibility. -Eleanor Roosevelt
Best Journals for Self-Care
Journaling is one of my favorite self-care activities. It’s also a great way help you begin to move towards forgiveness. The key to making journaling a habit is to find a journal that you love. One of the first things I look for in a journal is one that is good quality, like this gratitude journal from Promptly Journals. Use code CHERITH15 to save 15% off your order.
I also love this guided self love journal that is filled with prompts and practices to help improve self-esteem and self-confidence. Use code CHERITH15 to save 15%!
READ NEXT: 15 Self-Care Activities That Take 15 Minutes or Less
Love the self care advice…Im still a work in progress.
Thanks, Sabrina! I’m a work in progress, too! It makes so much sense for us to take care of ourselves, though. If we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of the ones that we love!