Take Care of Yourself & Respect Yourself

Having self-respect is a sign of self-love. Setting boundaries for oneself and making sure you are taking care of your needs are important aspects of self-respect that go far beyond just getting dressed and going to work. Saying yes to everything that comes your way without considering the advantages and disadvantages is as sensible as acting without regard for yourself. Self-respect entails knowing when to say no, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and refraining from overworking oneself to the point of exhaustion because you believe that is what is expected of you. Respect for yourself is reflected in taking care of yourself and refraining from acting in ways that are damaging or demeaning to yourself.

A lack of self-respect is evident when you consistently overspend, get completely wasted every time you go out and find yourself forgetting what you did that evening, or overindulge in foods you know are unhealthy. You do not have enough self-respect to know when enough is enough. A sign of self-respect is knowing when to stop; the issue is that many people lack this ability. One thing you can do to help yourself stop overindulging is to ask yourself this: Would you rather be proud of yourself for resisting your addictions or live with the guilt?

You can force yourself to pause and consider your options more carefully by posing questions to yourself. Do you need this or do you want it? Can you afford it? Should you do it? Are there other, healthier options? Is there anything more beneficial and productive you could replace this with? It can be very helpful to find something constructive to replace your addiction with; your brain will begin to associate your unhealthy habit with something beneficial for you as a result. This applies to your boundaries as well. How would doing “x” make you feel? Would you feel better if you didn’t do it? Would doing it stress you out or make you feel guilty? You can typically persuade yourself not to engage in self-destructive behavior when you take a moment to reflect on the answers to these questions.

Being respectful of yourself is just a small step in the right direction. It involves saying no to things that are detrimental to your health and yes to things that are beneficial. Maintaining peace and tranquility in your mind and heart, as well as making sure you are well-cared for first and foremost, are all signs of self-respect. Refuse to engage in self-destructive behavior; consider the consequences and your feelings afterwards, then substitute constructive, positive activities. You are the only one who can decide what is best for you, so make sure the decisions you make are healthy and beneficial for your life. Take care of yourself; respect yourself.