you can be a little “selfish”

welcome to introspection ft. harsehaj! ⭐️ i’m harsehaj, a 19 y/o always up to something in social good x tech.

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onto today’s topic: you can be a little “selfish” 🍪 

today i woke up with a sore throat.

1 year ago, i would have kept that news to myself completely and not let my family know that i was feeling unwell. i didn’t want to worry or stress them out. i gave them a call this morning and allowed myself (eldest daughter moment) to be fussed over.

i set boundaries, i stick to my decisions, and express myself. i’ve grown more comfortable with this over the past year and it has done wonders to my overall happiness.

when did being ourselves become selfish?

you can let others worry about you. 🫂 you can follow your own plans. you can take up space. you can put yourself first. you’re allowed to do that, and you should. putting yourself first doesn’t mean ignoring or rejecting others’ feelings — it just means giving yourself grace and care when you need it.

there isn’t a single person on this earth that doesn’t need that.

leadership involves a lot of giving. it’s never-ending and can get exhausting — you’re the one making compromises, adjusting to cater everyone’s opinions, and working extra hours. it’s not a crime to take sometimes.

yes, it’s great to be a selfless, giving person; however, you should strike a balance with catering to your own needs. be a good person to yourself too. 🤨 

in order to serve others well, you must first care for yourself. that might look like turning on “do not disturb” every day after dinner, or refusing to compromise on your morning routine. maybe it’s “selfishly” planning a little solo weekend getaway for yourself.

notice how that doesn’t sound very selfish at all? it’s caring for yourself. whatever your own self-care routine may be, chances are that little bit of “selfishness” is actually helping you be more selfless in the long run.

i’m officially giving you permission: be a little selfish!

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