Bob-
As a person who spent a good deal of her life putting other's needs before her own, i want to commend you on your decision. As angelic so wisely put it, you can't help anyone else to be happy until you yourself are happy. Your physical and mental health are of the utmost importance and it is not selfish of you to make them your number one priority. And you can still be supportive of others as long as you have set boundaries so that your own health is not impeded. Take care of you, Karen
Congratulations! Never think you're selfish because you're taking care of yourself and having your health as a top priority. If you don't do it, who will? Plus your health should be good and you should be happy before you can truly make someone else happy. That's what I think. I tried both - caring about myself and putting others' needs before mine, so I can say I know what I'm talking about. Obviously, you do too. Good luck to you!
Hello...I am making a commitment to myself. I will establish my mental and physical health as my number one priority in my life. There is nothing more important. Its not only for myself, but for my family. If I am functioning better, they will benefit.
I have focused on the wrong priorities for many years. I have worried about my business. I have worried about the success of my children. I have worried about the happiness of my wife.
I haven’t taken care of myself. I suffer from depression and diabetes. I have one last chance to pull myself out of this hole…one last chance to enjoy life.
I will not rush out and over-exercise or commit to a fad diet. I will take methodical systematic steps to improve my physical fitness. I will attempt to moderate my diet. I will definitely go to bed early to maximize my sleep.
I will work at eliminating my negative emotional reaction to things. I will undertake some CBT exercises. I realize that relative to my health, everything else comes far down the list.
This doesn’t mean that I have become totally selfish. I will for example look for ways to support people, and I will look for opportunities to help others – factors which in fact improve my mental health.
Well that’s my first draft of bob’s manifesto
Take care
bob.
