31 Days of Self Love - Day 5

What is something you need to start saying "yes" to? I feel like my answer to this sounds incredibly cliché, but I need to start saying yes to ME. I need to allow myself more time to just be. I need to allow myself to not try to save the world constantly, and to worry about myself first and foremost - at least some of the time.

I feel like I spend so much of my life trying to do things for others, and putting myself last. I actually managed to have a mini breakdown a few years ago, when every minute was spent working or running around to make sure other people were okay. I have taken substantial steps to take care of myself since then - I literally spent about a week on my couch just getting up to use the bathroom and minimally tend to my pets at that point. Now I am more conscious of my own needs, and try to make them a priority, but I feel like I need to do this even more. I need to tell myself it's okay if I need a day where I just relax and watch movies. I need to remind myself that I matter, too. I need to make sure I have the money for things that make me feel better, rather than consistently helping others because I feel like I am somehow supposed to save everyone else's world. I need to allow myself to say "yes" to taking care of me by saying "no" to other peoples' requests, or their negativity. I have spent so much time allowing other people's negative thoughts into my head, that I never really stopped to think that they might be wrong. I spend so much time trying not to hurt other peoples' feelings by telling them to bug off, that I miss taking care of myself.

I feel like I need to push myself to do things for myself. I need to push myself to take my long, quiet, peaceful walks where I soak in nature and think about things. I need to allow myself to feel good about myself once in a while. I need to find ways to make myself feel pretty, and special, and loved - without the need for anyone else's validation.

I need to say "yes" to me, to my needs, my wants, my dreams. I'm so much better than I once was, but I still have a very long way to go.