There have been times throughout my life where I didn’t feel like I was in control. Or even more so where I felt like I wasn’t properly advocating for myself (if at all).

One lesson I’ve learned over the last 5 years is how important it is that we stand up for ourselves.

I tend to be a person who will champion for others. Taking a stand for ME isn’t as easy. It feels self-serving, inauthentic, forced, and egotistical.

But time and time again I’m reminded, in life and in therapy, the importance of taking care of ourselves too. That we can’t perform well at our jobs or take care of others well if we aren’t taking care of ourselves.

What does that look like?

Maybe it’s saying “no” when someone asks you take on something new.

Maybe it’s realizing a particular job is no longer where you’re meant to be or that it’s time to move on.

Maybe it’s knowing when to take a personal day and not feeling any shame about it.

Maybe it’s not allowing a toxic person to consume any more of your personal time or headspace.

Maybe it’s simply turning off your phone for an hour or two.

There are countless other “maybes” I could add to this list.

Recently I’ve been really trying to prioritize and reorganize some things in my own life (personally and professionally) to really maximize what’s important to me, right now.

That means I have had to say no to some opportunities and walk away from others. Things I LOVE but know that in this season of life isn’t where I’m supposed to be if I’m going to be my best self.

That’s the hard part about this. You aren’t always saying “no” or leaving things that are bad for you. Sometimes it’s just not right for you….right now.

So today I challenge you to take an inventory of your life and emotions and time and energy right now. Is there something that you need to take back control from? Is there someone? A career? A commitment?

When you get that control back and realize it’s YOUR life, it’s so incredibly freeing, even if at times a bit scary.