Not Guilty

Never feel guilty for doing what’s best for you. ~ Unknown

Imagine you are being prosecuted in the court of law for the ultimate act of self-care. As the defendant, you are in complete disbelief that the plaintiff finds your personal deed completely heinous.

What’s the charge?

Doing something that is best for you.

What’s your plea as the defendant?

Why you are innocent of course!

After a short deliberation what is the verdict?

NOT GUILTY!

Does any of this sound familiar? Although it may not have happened in a literal sense, I wouldn’t be surprised if you have been taken to “court” at some point in your life to make you feel guilty about a decision you made that was best for you. How frivolous and ridiculous is that? When you step up and take actions that are best for you, more than likely, there will be someone close to you that will give you some type of push back.

Think of this courtroom analogy when someone attempts to make you feel guilty about making choices that are in your best interest. Remember that you serve as your own judge and jury when it comes to your personal self-care. Be wary of false accusations that may arise whether they are self-inflicted or brought to you from the outside.

Here are three little tips to hold true while feeling guilt free about doing what is best for you!

1. It’s unselfish

And I mean completely unselfish! There is absolutely no way you can take care of anyone else before you take care of yourself first. If you are paying attention to your inflight safety briefing while flying (like the awesome passenger, you are) the flight attendants demonstrate putting on an oxygen mask and instruct you to put YOUR oxygen mask on FIRST before helping others. Look at that, YOU FIRST! I bet you wouldn’t feel guilty in this aspect of saving your life first so you could save another. This is a great concept to carry on, and off, the aircraft. Taking care of you first is vital for your life, and all the other lives around you.

2. It’s YOUR time

What is the one valuable thing we can never get back? TIME! So please spend it wisely. Have no regrets about how you would like to spend your time. It may require saying no to someone else, but now you can say YES to you and what you want to do. Doing what you enjoy with your free time fosters a sense of satisfaction on your terms. Take a long bath, hike or bike; just make sure you do whatever you like (thank you T.I.).

3. Practice forgiveness

News Flash! Doing what is best for you may piss a few people off. They will get over it! I repeat. THEY WILL GET OVER IT! Please forgive them as they may be used to you forgoing your needs to satisfy theirs. This does not mean they cannot receive your help; it just means that when you decide to deliver on their request it will be in addition to your self-care routine, as opposed to in leu of it. That sounds like a win-win all the way around!

How do you put yourself first without feeling guilty? Some things are as easy as 1-2-3! Leave a comment below and celebrate with me how you live guilt free!

#andthatstheanomaly