Have you ever had a friend ask you for a favor and your answer was, “No, I’m sorry, I can’t do that.” and their reaction was, “Wow, you’re really selfish!”? Well, I’m here to free you from that bondage: selfishness is simply self-care. When you get onto an airplane, they give you instructions on what to do in the event that there is an emergency and they lose cabin pressure. They advise you to put your oxygen mask on first and then assist your neighbors with getting theirs on. In order for you to be able to give the best of yourself to others, you must take the time out to take care of yourself first.

Being a people-pleaser was one of the most powerful habits I had to break. I would say yes to things that I didn’t have the desire or energy to do. I loaned money that I didn’t have and I gave gifts that were way beyond my means all in the effort to prove to people that I was a “good” friend. Sometimes I would make up the most elaborate lies to get out of doing things that I didn’t want to do instead of just politely declining the invitation. If people can’t accept you saying “no” every once in awhile that is their problem; don’t make it yours.

Sending you love in abundance,

Stephanie