Showing Up for Yourself: The Power of Prioritizing Your Needs

First, I want to thank you for taking time out of your day to read this. I truly appreciate you and your time. My goal is to provide interesting, thought-provoking reads to enhance your already awesome life, so thank you for letting me be a part of it!

The other day, a friend and I were walking and talking about how difficult it is to make ourselves do things we know we should be doing without external forces. For example, my friend’s insurance did not approve additional physical therapy sessions. Even though she knew the exercises and how to do them, without the appointment, she found herself skipping them. I could totally relate. That very day, I had an appointment that coincided with my usual yoga class. I told myself I would do yoga on my own afterward. And, well, yes, I did get my mat out, did some rolling around, a bit of core work, a few down dogs, lunges, and forward bends—but it definitely was not 75 minutes of yoga. Why is it that we happily commit to activities in a structured setting but struggle to maintain the same discipline on our own? Why do we settle for “well, that’s good enough” when left to our own devices?

The First Step: Simply Showing Up

My friend pointed out, “Well, at least you got your mat out and did something.” And she was right. I did move my body. Maybe it wasn’t the full yoga class experience, but I did show up for myself in some way. That small action mattered.

But why is it so hard to “show up” for ourselves? And what does that even mean?

The Importance of Prioritizing Yourself

Showing up for yourself means making choices that honor your well-being, growth, and commitments, even when no one is watching. It means prioritizing your needs in a world that constantly pulls you in different directions. Here’s why it’s so important:

1. It Builds Self-Trust – When you follow through on promises to yourself, even small ones, you build confidence and trust in your ability to take care of yourself.

2. It Strengthens Discipline – Consistently showing up reinforces positive habits, making it easier to keep commitments over time.

3. It Creates Momentum – Each small step fuels the next, leading to greater progress and personal growth.

4. It Sets Boundaries – Prioritizing yourself helps you create and maintain healthy boundaries with others, ensuring that your energy isn’t constantly depleted by external demands.

Building the Habit of Showing Up

So how do we get better at showing up for ourselves? Here are a few strategies:

• Make It Easy – Reduce friction by setting up your environment for success. For example, lay out your workout clothes the night before or set a reminder to drink water throughout the day.

• Commit to a Minimum – Instead of an all-or-nothing approach, set a small baseline goal. If you can’t do 75 minutes of yoga, commit to 10 minutes. Starting is often the hardest part.

• Find Internal Motivation – External accountability can be helpful, but finding a deep, personal reason for your commitment will make it more sustainable.

• Celebrate Progress – Acknowledge every step forward, no matter how small. Showing up, even imperfectly, is still progress.

• Reframe Your Mindset – Instead of thinking about tasks as obligations, view them as acts of self-care and self-respect.

The Ripple Effect of Showing Up

When you make a habit of showing up for yourself, you start to see the benefits ripple into other areas of your life. You develop resilience, confidence, and a stronger sense of self-worth. And the best part? It gets easier. What once felt like a struggle eventually becomes second nature.

So, the next time you find yourself hesitating, remind yourself that showing up—even in a small way—matters. You are worth the effort. And every step you take toward prioritizing yourself builds the foundation for a more fulfilled and empowered life.

Are you ready to show up for yourself today?

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