How do you prioritize what really matters in your life?
More importantly, how do you prioritize yourself? Lately, I’ve been asking myself this question a lot. It’s wild how a few small priorities can turn into a massive to-do list that feels like it’s running your life instead of you running it. That’s not the vibe we’re going for, right? So, before your priorities start choosing you, here’s how to take charge and choose them on your terms:
- Be intentional with your priorities. Remember, just because someone asks you to do something doesn’t mean it’s your priority. Protect your energy and focus on what truly matters to you.
- Choose what’s important, not just urgent. There’s a big difference. Let your heart and soul have a vote in what really deserves your time and attention. The urgent will always be there, but the important needs to come first.
- Nourish your soul-goals. Prioritize the things that will impact your whole life, not just parts of it. Think long-term, not just immediate results.
- Make discomfort a priority. Choose one thing every day that makes you uncomfortable. Growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone, and even if it sucks at first, you’ll build strength and resilience in the process.
- Be kind to yourself. Priorities shift, and so do you. If something on your list doesn’t get done, remember that youare the ultimate priority. Your well-being comes before the to-do list.
As you think about your priorities, remember that the most important piece of this puzzle is you.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOURSELF AS A PRIORITY?
Choosing yourself isn’t a one-and-done decision. It’s not a destination, but more like a rollercoaster that doesn’t come with a “stop and let me off” button.
Let’s be real—putting yourself first isn’t always easy. It often comes with a price. But trust me, the payoff is worth every penny.
When you put yourself at the top of your priority list, some people (yes, even family and friends) may not get it. They might call you selfish or arrogant, or try to guilt you back into putting them first. But here’s the thing: those who support your shift from selfless to self-ish are your people.
Show love to the ones who are curious about your new boundaries, gratitude to those who encourage you, and remember that prioritizing yourself creates an invisible magnet for like-minded souls who are ready to dance with you in the rain (or the sunshine).
As someone who’s a recovering a people-pleaser, I’ve struggled with this for years. It’s taken some major life shake-ups for me to finally start listening to my soul and realize: choosing myself doesn’t make me selfish or an a**hole. It makes me me.
ALCHEMIZE YOUR PRIORITIES
How do you transform your priorities into something that nourishes your entire being?
I’m a checklist queen—seriously, I’ve got color-coded checklists for my checklists. But after years of making lists, I realized they were doing more to help me do things than to help me live. And wasn’t that the point? To live more, not just to get more done?
To turn a boring “TO-DO” list into a more soulful “TO-BE” list, I discovered the missing ingredient: joy.
Call it happiness, pleasure, playfulness, satisfaction, or whatever lights you up, but from now on, when you’re setting priorities, ask yourself:
- Will _____________ bring me joy?
- Does ____________ make me happy?
- How can _________ be more playful?
- Does ____________ feed my soul?
- Will _____________ help me feel cherished?
And hey, I get it—not every task is fun. Some things just need to get done, whether we like it or not. Those are tasks, not priorities. There’s a difference.
So, what do your priorities need to help you thrive? How can you transform your relationship with them—and in turn, your relationship with yourself?
