🚀Prioritizing Self-Care: A Lesson from My Undergraduate Journey🚀 As I'm about to finish my undergrad, I faced a challenge that many of us encounter at some point in our academic or professional lives: the difficulty of saying "no" when necessary and putting my own needs first. I've always wanted to help others, and that's a quality I'm proud of. However, I realized that I was often overextending myself, taking on more than I could handle, and neglecting my well-being. The reason? I was afraid that if I said "no," the other person would feel bad, or worse, I would disappoint them. This constant struggle to please everyone and not disappoint others took a toll on my own mental and physical health. It was a wake-up call that made me realize the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing my own needs. But here's what I've learned: that temporary discomfort of saying "no" is temporary. People move on, and more often than not, they understand. In fact, most people appreciate honesty and respect for your own boundaries. It's important to recognize that constantly helping without setting boundaries can inadvertently lead to dependency, and sadly, some may even forget your contributions once they no longer need you. Setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care isn't about being selfish; it's about maintaining a healthy balance. It's about recognizing that by taking care of ourselves, we can be more effective in helping others. Since embracing this lesson, I've experienced improved well-being, increased productivity, and better relationships. I've learned that it's okay to put my needs above anyone else's when necessary. To incoming undergraduate students or anyone navigating a demanding journey, my advice is this: Be aware of your capacity and don't be afraid to set boundaries. You can't pour from an empty cup, and taking care of yourself is not only okay, but it's essential. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you faced similar challenges? How have you learned to balance helping others with taking care of yourself? Let me know in the comments below! #selfcare #personalgrowth #prioritization #mentalhealthmatters
Events Director @ Common Energy UBC | Sustainable Events Planning | Vice President Student Life @ CHBE Council | Research Assistant @ Bioproducts Institute (Ex) | Finance Manager @ Engineers without Borders, ACCESS (Ex)
1yYour journey is really inspiring. I can really relate to it, I feel taking care of one well being is so important. Sometimes, you forget to take care of your own self especially in university when there is alot of stuff to do.