Pushing your personal needs and self-care to the back burner for others can lead to harmful, unhealthy habits; both mentally and physically. Practice self-love and say no.
You're getting dressed to go to the gym, but you never make it because your brother needs your support to get through another break-up with his girlfriend. You've made plans to enjoy a relaxing evening after work by reading the new book you just picked up, but your mother-in-law needs help with a presentation that's due tomorrow. If you're not careful, pushing your needs to the back burner will become a bad, unhealthy habit; both mentally and physically. Say no.
If You Can't Say No, Make Them Wait
“Are you struggling to manage the expectations or demands of your relationships? Whether you're a parent, wife, sister, friend, peer, or team member - it is easy to put yourself at the bottom of the list.”
If it's easier said than done to say no, continue with your plans and address the demands from others at a later time. Stop neglecting your personal needs and self-care to aid others. With boundaries in place to protect your time for self-care, your life will become less stressful.
Do Not Change Your No To Yes
You're going to receive resistance towards your resistance, so do not change your mind. Change is hard. It will not be an easy process to go through, but it is the mandatory change needed to enrich your life and free you of your time, emotionally and physically. Be sure to keep reminding yourself why you said no in the first place. Each no to someone else is a yes to you and your peace of mind! Consistency is key to creating firm boundaries within your relationships, including the one you have with yourself.