“I don’t care how difficult you think it is; you have to choose yourself this time.” – Author Unknown

Choosing Yourself When It Seems Impossible

I know that voice inside your head. The one that says, “But what about everyone else? What will they think? Maybe I should wait until things settle down.” I’ve been there too. But hear me now: I don’t care how difficult you think it is; you have to choose yourself this time. This isn’t selfishness—it’s survival. And more than that, it’s the only path to becoming who you’re meant to be.

Think about those airplane safety demonstrations. They always tell you to put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others. Why? Because if you pass out from lack of oxygen, you can’t help anyone else. Life works the same way. When you constantly put your needs last, you’re not just hurting yourself—you’re showing up as a depleted version of yourself to everyone around you. Your relationships, your work, your purpose—they all suffer when you don’t value yourself enough to put yourself first sometimes.

We often think choosing ourselves means grand gestures or dramatic life changes. But it usually starts small—saying no to that extra responsibility when you’re already overwhelmed, taking twenty minutes for quiet reflection before jumping into family chaos, asking for help instead of martyring yourself. These small acts of self-respect build the muscle that allows you to make bigger choices later. Each time you honor your needs, you’re telling yourself: “I matter. My wellbeing matters.”

I’ve send hundreds of people who hit rock bottom before they finally gave themselves permission to prioritize their own happiness. Don’t wait until you’re broken to start piecing yourself together. The world doesn’t benefit from your sacrifice nearly as much as it benefits from your wholeness. When you choose yourself, you’re not taking from others—you’re actually giving them the gift of your authentic, energized presence rather than your resentful leftovers.

The truth is, choosing yourself isn’t just about you. It’s about becoming the person who can truly give from overflow rather than deficit. It’s about modeling healthy boundaries for your children and friends. It’s about creating a life that inspires others rather than warns them. So the next time that voice tells you it’s too hard or too selfish to put yourself first, remember: choosing yourself isn’t just something you deserve—it’s something the world around you desperately needs you to do. Start today, with one small choice. I promise you won’t regret it.