It's Okay to Be Selfish

The word “selfish” has a bad connotation, our conditioned minds immediately associate this word with the egotistical beings in society; the ones that are so self-centered that everyone around them is a blur. However, it is OKAY and ENCOURAGED to take care of yourself. Entertain circumstantial selfishness. While there are unsavory methods to exercise selfishness, there are also rewarding and healthy ways. Never confuse the two. Do I dare say to put your needs above others’ sometimes? Oh, I dare.

1. Say No If You Want To

If you have been working full-time hours all week and you just want to transform into a human burrito on Friday night, DO. IT.

Restaurants and movie theaters will be open the next night, use tonight for yourself.

2. Do Not Apologize for Taking Care of Yourself

“I’m sorry, I just needed a night of emotional recovery.”

“I apologize for venting so much.”

“I’m sorry for changing the plans.”

Your personal well-being will ALWAYS take precedence over any social interaction. “Well, that sounds very selfish of you to say, Shelby.” Good. This is the positive selfishness I was telling you about. If you don’t take care of yourself, how do you expect to cultivate healthy friendships and partake in fruitful interactions? Never apologize for loving yourself.

3. Surround Yourself With Positive People, Cut Out the Negative People

Toxic people will hinder not only your growth as an individual, but they will be detrimental to healthy relationships you are trying to pursue. You cannot maintain healthy relationships with the dead weight of a harmful person on your back. I know as a Christian, it is “frowned upon” to reject anybody. Jesus sat down and feasted with the most unsavory people. Let me expand, before anyone attacks me for being “closed-minded”.

One can pray for someone and not be actively involved in their lives. If a relationship (romantic, friendly, familial) ever reaches the point of toxicity, it may be time to step back for a while. Grow apart from that person into your own individual. You can heal so much more effectively as your own person than if you are emotionally dependent on another. The same goes for them. You may be doing the biggest favor to both of you by walking away with prayer in your heart. You are not narcissistic for taking time to yourself to heal.

These are only three ways to tend to your personal prosperity. However, there is a plethora of ways to be circumstantially, positively selfish. They can amount to small, uneventful ways like a night in watching Netflix and spending quality time with yourself. On the other hand, it could be something as life-changing as stepping back from a particular person or place. That is okay.

Don’t forget to love yourself today.

#opinion #self #blog