ALWAYS CHOOSE YOURSELF

We often find ourselves worrying about many things in life, sometimes even concerning other people's lives. We tend to forget to focus on the small things that bring us joy. On that note, I'm writing this blog as a reminder that choosing yourself is not an act of selfishness.

Over the past few months, I've felt like I'm losing myself to worries that aren't worth my time. I've been stressing over trivial matters at work, in my relationships, societal concerns, and even public transportation. My mental health has been a struggle since the pandemic, and while I can't say I'm fully recovered, I know I'm holding on. Many things in my life trigger anxiety and depression, but I've always been resilient, though I must admit that I've had my breakdowns. Last month, I made the decision to deactivate all my social media accounts, every single one of them (Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook). I felt they were adversely affecting my mental health and adding to my stress. However, after two weeks, I reactivated my Instagram to see if it was worth keeping. I realized that I hadn't done everything I could to help myself get better, so I'm gradually changing my bad habits and lifestyle, as well as my perspectives on life, for the sake of my mental health.

I reached a point where I lost sight of myself and forgot to ask, "How am I? Am I happy?" I didn't even know what could make me happy or what activities I enjoyed. I worried excessively about my relationship, to the extent that I was willing to sacrifice my own happiness to save it. But I came to understand that you can't save something that doesn't want to be saved because you can't control it. Instead of attempting to salvage something unsalvageable, I decided it's time to save myself. I know I've done everything I can, and it's time to choose myself. I understand that I am responsible for my happiness and peace; no one else is. I believe we always have choices and numerous options to find happiness and self-improvement. You simply have to choose yourself and let go of things that hinder your growth.

You can't assist someone when you need help yourself. You can't love someone if you don't feel loved. You can't be with someone when you haven't pulled yourself together. Your present state will influence your future because it all starts with you. Make sure you know how to save yourself in every battle.