Put Yourself First – Period!
Putting yourself first does not mean doing so with guilty feelings. When you put yourself first, you are likely doing yourself and the world around you much good. Think back to the last time you were on an airplane, and over the PA System, the flight attendant said something like:
“Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Please place the mask over your own mouth and nose before assisting others.“
Selfless, in this instance, is to put yourself first. You can help more people by putting your mask on first versus running out of air after helping only a few. A few years ago, a Miami lifeguard got fired after leaving his post to make a water rescue. He broke a rule about waiting for another lifeguard to cover that post while he was away. Do you see why?
When it comes to our mental health, prioritizing ourselves must come first. That also means a willingness to be bold and unapologetic about:
- Standing up for yourself
- Setting and keeping boundaries
- Saying “no”
- Discontinuing tumultuous friendships or relationships
- Pausing on significant commitments that become unmanageable
Being a hero and being a martyr are not the same. Your mental health deserves a hero, not a martyr. We conclude our #KeepYourHeadInTheGame series with some final thoughts from one of our players who answered seven questions.
Q: What specific thing(s) do you do to stay positive, and why do you think your method works?
A: To stay positive, I focus on creating healthy boundaries in all aspects of my life. I prioritize sleep, even if I want to stay out late. Work stays at work and doesn’t come home with me. Taking the total amount of time for breaks and using that time to read or walk when I can. Also, I exercise in the most fun ways possible because I know I won’t exercise if I’m not having fun. Lastly, I see a psychologist and psychiatrist. I feel like these things work because they prioritize me and my physical and mental health. When you prioritize yourself, it makes you feel valued, which makes you feel more positive about life!
Q: What have you learned about yourself or life in your time playing in CLUBWAKA?
A: I love meeting new people. There is something genuinely awe-inspiring in making new friends as both a child and in adulthood. Being able to come together and connect with strangers just collectively makes me feel like I’m living my life to the fullest.
Q: When was the last time someone unexpectedly did something nice for you? What was it, and how did it make you feel?
A: Someone just checked in about how things were going with me. They showed that they were invested in what was happening in my life. Despite not knowing them for long, I could tell that they cared about my answer and were excited about the good things happening.
Q: CLUBWAKA is a social club. What has your experience been with having a group of friends bonding through sports each week?
A: The support has been lovely. Everyone on my team makes me feel like a valued member. Everyone is a part of the team and wants people to be engaged and excited about doing something so cool each week.
Q: We’ve all had moments when life gets us down. What unique or unforgettable advice were you given during a rough patch?
A: You can’t judge yourself based on other people. You only see them from one angle or one aspect of their life. The only person you can truly compare yourself to is yourself. Work towards being a better you today than you were yesterday.
Q: What do you do each day to bring joy to your life? How do you spread joy to others? Be specific.
A: I bring joy to my life by maintaining an optimistic attitude. I genuinely believe that we manifest the energy in our life. If you stay focused on the negative, you will remain surrounded by negativity. If you focus on positivity, the world around you becomes loving, caring, and kind. My optimism lets me bring positivity to all of my interpersonal relationships.