13 Ways to Start Putting Yourself First

Written by Sydney Axelrod | Edited by Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: August 13, 2024 Fact Checked

You can’t pour from an empty cup, so it’s time to put yourself first. Putting yourself first means taking time for self-care, enforcing your boundaries, and treating yourself with kindness. Your needs are just as important as everyone else’s, so it’s not selfish to prioritize yourself sometimes. We’re here to help you start taking great care of yourself by putting yourself first.

This article is based on an interview with our certified life coach, Sydney Axelrod, owner of Sydney Axelrod LLC. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

Take time for yourself so you can rest, practice self-care, or pursue a hobby.
Ask for help when you need it, and say “no” when something isn’t right for you.
Be compassionate toward yourself and give yourself permission to do what’s right for you.

1

Set personal boundaries.

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It’s okay to say “no” sometimes. If you’re not careful, people will demand too much of you, leaving you burnt out. To prevent this, establish boundaries with your friends, family, and coworkers so you can put yourself first when necessary.^{[1]
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Research source} If someone violates your boundaries, explain that what they did isn’t okay.
- You might tell your coworkers that you’re unavailable after work hours.
- You could ask friends not to call or text you after 10:00 p.m. because that’s when you wind down.
- You may ask your partner to complete some chores on their own.
- If your friend invites you to a party but you want to stay home and study, communicate that clearly to your friend by saying "no."

2

Ask for help when you need it.

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You can’t do everything on your own. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it because everyone needs a helping hand from time to time. When you need something, try asking in person because people are more likely to say “yes.” Additionally, be direct about what you need and how they can help.^{[2]
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- “I’m swamped with work this week. Can you take care of the laundry?”
- “I made an appointment after work today. Could you pick up the kids?”
- “I won’t be able to give this project the attention it needs with my current workload. Could you ask someone else?”

3

Prioritize rest.

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Give yourself time to unwind, even if chores go undone. You need to fill your cup before you can fill anyone else's, which means you need rest. To make sure you have time to relax, schedule time to rest into your week, whether it’s a few hours or an entire day. Treat it like any other appointment and stick to it.^{[3]
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Mind
U.K.-based mental health charity focused on providing advice and resources to anyone facing mental health problems.

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- Spend an evening at home under a comfy blanket.
- Spend Sunday morning drinking coffee and reading.
- Take a quick 20-minute nap when you feel tired.
- Get a good night’s sleep.

4

Reduce stress.

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Blow off steam every day so it doesn’t build up. To help reduce your stress choose stress relievers that are easy to include in your daily habits. Try to engage your five senses because you’ll be able to relax more easily. Here are some ideas you could try:^{[4]
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HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.

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- Savor hot herbal tea.
- Apply a scented lotion.
- Light a candle and listen to calming music.
- Take a bath with scented bath salts.
- Go for a walk outside.

Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: What Kind of Reality Check Do I Need?

We all have blind spots, especially when it comes to the ways we treat others (and ourselves). Unfortunately, it can be pretty tough to take an objective look at what your own weak points are. We’re here to help. Take this quiz to rip off the Band-aid and see what your blind spots really are.

1 of 12

Pick a sea creature:

Sea turtle

Dolphin

Crab

Cuttlefish

5

Take 15 minutes for fun daily.

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You deserve time to do something you enjoy. Schedule a block of time every day that you can use to enrich yourself.^{[5]
X
Research source} Spend this time doing something like relaxing, watching your favorite show, reading, or making something.
- Do something creative.
- Work on a puzzle.
- Sit outside and enjoy a beverage.

6

Get a hobby.

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Pick up an old hobby or start a new one that brings you joy. Try to engage in your hobby at least once a week, even if it's just for a few minutes. You might even pick something you can carry with you, like knitting or playing handheld games. Here are some hobbies you might try:^{[6]
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- Drawing.
- Painting.
- Gaming.
- Gardening.
- Playing an instrument.
- Knitting.
- Woodworking.

7

Practice gratitude.

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Create an abundance mindset by counting your blessings. When you act from a mindset of abundance, you’ll feel happier and more fulfilled. To help you focus on the good in your life, make a gratitude list by writing down three things every day that you’re grateful for. You could also thank people when they do something special for you. You could be grateful for:^{[7]
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HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.

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- Your home.
- Your friends, family, and partner.
- Your pet.
- Your job.
- Delicious food, like chocolate.
- Coffee.
- Beautiful weather.

8

Eat a healthy diet.

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Nourish your body by eating healthy foods. It’s hard to stick to a healthy diet after a long day, but nutritious food gives you energy and supports good health.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} In general, eat more fruits and vegetables, as well as complex carbohydrates. On the other hand, limit sugar and saturated fat.^{[9]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK

Go to source} You deserve to feel your best, so fuel your body well.
- Try meal prepping on Sundays so you have healthy meals for the entire week.
- Snack on low-prep fresh foods, like baby carrots, apple slices, or bananas.
- Prepare bigger dinners so you can eat leftovers for lunch the next day.

9

Exercise daily.

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Exercise improves your wellbeing. In general, you need about 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week for health. Pick an exercise that you enjoy so that it’s easy to stick to your goals, and make an exercise schedule. Plus, you’ll have more fun.^{[10]
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American Heart Association
Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education

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- Take a dance class.
- Go for long walks.
- Follow along with a video workout.
- Play a recreational sport, like softball, tennis, or basketball.
- Reader Poll: We asked 736 wikiHow readers, and 58% said that the most satisfying and effective way to practice self-care is through exercise and physical activity. [Take Poll]

10

Try meditation.

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Meditate daily to reduce stress and improve your well-being. For a simple meditation, sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Then, focus on your breath while clearing your mind and sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes. If your mind wanders, gently refocus on your breath. You might also repeat a mantra, like “peace” or “calm.”^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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- Try apps like Headspace or Insight Timer for free guided meditations.

11

Treat yourself with compassion.

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Be kind to yourself. If you’re too hard on yourself, you’ll burn out really easily. You’re only human, so you’ll make mistakes sometimes. When you do something wrong, acknowledge your responsibility and try to make it right. Then, move on and let go of any guilt that you feel over what happened.^{[12]
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American Psychological Association
Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists

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- Forgive yourself for mistakes you’ve made in the past.
- Apologize for your mistakes, then start fresh.

12

Trust yourself.

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Listen to your inner voice when making decisions for yourself. You know yourself better than anyone else does, so it’s important that you do what’s right for you. Start by surrounding yourself with people who support you and by speaking kindly to yourself.^{[13]
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Research source} Trust yourself to decide what’s right for you.
- Learn to listen to your intuition. Start by grounding yourself by breathing deeply and imagining a cord connecting you to the earth. Then, ask yourself yes or no questions. Let the feeling in your body give you the answer.

13

Challenge negative beliefs.

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Change how you think about putting yourself first. Start by confronting any beliefs you might have about it being selfish or lazy. Then, give yourself permission to put yourself first. Additionally, remind yourself that there’s no deadline for changing how you treat yourself or for trying something new.^{[14]
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- When you think something like, “I’m being selfish for prioritizing myself today,” counter with, “I need to take care of myself before I can take care of others.”
- If you think, “Saying ‘no’ to that new project is lazy,” combat it with “I need to rest if I want to be my best.”
- Keeping a journal can help you work through your thoughts and beliefs.^{[15]
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  University of Rochester Medical Center
  Leading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and research
  
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Tips

Talk to your family and friends about needing to put yourself first sometimes.

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Talk to a therapist if you’re struggling to put yourself first. You can attend therapy appointments online through BetterHelp.

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