Why It's Okay To Be A Priority

I found myself at the bottom of my priority list when I became a mom. I truly thought that was one of the best decisions I could make and that was how it should be. Through the years I soon discovered how that was probably one of the worst decisions I could have made. By putting myself last on the list it started to affect my happiness, my health, my weight and my self worth. I didn't even understand I was doing this to myself. It wasn't until I joined my first Accountability group (support for clean eating & working out) that I realized I needed to make some major changes. The more I moved myself up on my priority list, the more I realized how it was not only changing things positively for myself, but for my family. I never did anything for myself. I would feel guilty just sitting down watching television, if I wasn't folding laundry while doing it. I started to think "why wouldn't it be okay if I took 30 minutes for myself each day"? I gave every minute of my day to my family, so would 30 minutes really hurt anyone? I started taking 30 minutes each day to workout and I started to feel better. Then my children would have the day off from school and I would be working out and they would be interrupting me every five minutes because they were arguing-so I sat them down. I discussed with them that all I am asking for is 30 minutes for myself, if you can't behave for 30 minutes and not interrupt me (unless its an emergency)then I am going to have spend less time doing things for you. I explained to them why this was important to me and that if they truly want me to be happy/healthy, then I needed their support. They listened and stopped interrupting my 30 minutes(90% of the time), they even started to workout with me (which I love). This year has been filled with so many "aha moments". I can not believe how amazing it feels to be a priority. It truly was a necessary change-not only for myself, but for my family. We are all healthier and happier, because I decided my happiness was just as important as my families.