Life can get really busy, and you often focus on what others need before thinking about yourself. But it is important to remember that taking care of yourself matters too.
Put Yourself First Quotes remind you to prioritize your own well-being and happiness.
These quotes encourage you to love yourself and make sure you are doing okay, so you can be better at helping others. Taking time for yourself is not selfish—it is essential for a happy and balanced life.
Put Yourself First Quotes
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Bernard Brauch
Bernard Brauch’s quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity, suggesting that we shouldn’t worry about the judgments of those who don’t appreciate our true selves. Instead, we should focus on the opinions of those who value us as we are.
This perspective encourages individuality and reminds us that genuine relationships are based on acceptance, not conformity.
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“I’ve learned that if someone threatens my peace of mind, self-respect, or self-worth… I must walk away. I owe it to myself… I owe it to my future.” – Steve Maraboli
Steve Maraboli underscores the critical need to protect one’s mental health and self-respect. The quote advises that we owe it to our future selves to remove ourselves from toxic situations or relationships.
Prioritizing personal well-being sets the foundation for future happiness and stability, marking it as an investment in oneself.
“You have to validate yourself first, and then you will receive the much-deserved healing validation from the rest of the world.” – A.D. Posey
A.D. Posey highlights the necessity of self-validation as a precursor to external acceptance.
This quote encourages individuals to cultivate a strong sense of self-worth and confidence, which in turn will attract positive reinforcement and acknowledgment from others, fostering a cycle of personal empowerment and healing.
“If you don’t make the choices in your own life, then someone else is going to end up making them for you and they are not gonna be good.” – James Altucher
James Altucher’s advice is a stern warning about the consequences of not taking active control over one’s decisions. He stresses that allowing others to make choices for us can lead to undesirable outcomes.
It’s a call to assertiveness, encouraging us to take charge of our destinies and ensure our choices reflect our true desires.
“Make your priorities a priority.” – Frank Sonnenberg
Frank Sonnenberg’s statement is a straightforward yet powerful call to actively focus on what truly matters to us.
By making our priorities clear and putting them first, we align our actions with our values, leading to more fulfilling and intentional lives.
“It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.” – Mandy Hale
Mandy Hale challenges the common misconception that self-care and self-love are selfish acts.
This quote redefines these actions as essential practices necessary for maintaining mental health and overall well-being, thereby enabling us to better contribute to the world around us.
“Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.” – Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s wisdom teaches us about the importance of self-respect in relationships. It’s a reminder not to settle for being treated as an afterthought, advocating for reciprocal appreciation and effort.
Recognizing our worth helps us avoid one-sided relationships and fosters healthier, more balanced interaction.
“To gain self-respect, you need to put yourself first.” – Lorii Myers
Lorii Myers asserts that self-respect begins with prioritizing oneself. This quote underscores the concept that valuing our own needs and desires is not selfish but necessary for cultivating a sense of self-worth.
When we learn to put ourselves first, we establish boundaries that not only protect our well-being but also enhance our ability to respect and care for others effectively, fostering healthier relationships and personal growth.
“Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power.” – Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood connects self-respect with self-discipline, suggesting that acknowledging and valuing our efforts fuels our capacity for control and consistency in our actions.
This quote highlights that real power lies in self-mastery, which begins with a deep respect for oneself and one’s own capabilities, ultimately leading to a more empowered and directed life.
“You must learn to put your own needs first. Does that sound callous? It shouldn’t if you are honest with yourself.” – Anne Bellamy
Anne Bellamy champions the idea of prioritizing one’s needs without guilt. She encourages embracing self-priority as a form of honesty rather than selfishness.
This perspective helps dismantle the stigma around self-care and asserts that true self-awareness and honesty about one’s needs are essential for personal well-being and authenticity.
“It’s time to stop avoiding your ambition and put yourself first.” – Maree McPherson
Maree McPherson calls for a bold embrace of personal ambitions, suggesting that many people sideline their deepest aspirations to accommodate others.
This quote motivates individuals to prioritize their ambitions as a necessary step towards fulfillment and self-realization, emphasizing that personal growth often requires a conscious decision to place oneself at the forefront of one’s life choices.
“If you prioritize yourself, you are going to save yourself.” – Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union highlights the lifesaving power of self-prioritization. This quote reflects the belief that making oneself a priority is not merely a pathway to personal satisfaction but a crucial strategy for emotional and mental health.
It suggests that self-prioritization can be a protective and restorative practice that guards against burnout and emotional depletion.
“Always choose yourself first. Women are very socialized to choose other people. If you put yourself first, it’s this incredible path you can forge for yourself.” – Rebecca Traister
Rebecca Traister addresses the social conditioning that often discourages women from self-prioritization. She advocates for choosing oneself first as a radical act of empowerment that opens up pathways for personal development and independence.
This quote is a call to challenge societal norms and embrace self-prioritization as a means of crafting a fulfilling and self-directed life.
“Why is it hard to put yourself first? One thing many people don’t understand, because it is not often taught, is that to put your needs first.” – Kate Fit
Kate Fit questions the difficulty many face in prioritizing themselves, pointing out a lack of societal teaching on the importance of self-care.
This quote suggests that understanding and implementing self-prioritization can be challenging due to cultural norms that often value self-sacrifice over self-care, advocating for a shift in how we view and teach the importance of meeting our own needs.
“Self-love is the source of all our other loves.” – Pierre Corneille
Pierre Corneille proposes that self-love is foundational to all forms of love we extend to others. This quote suggests that nurturing a loving relationship with oneself enables healthier and more genuine relationships with others.
It emphasizes the idea that without a solid basis of self-love, one cannot fully participate in or truly offer love to others, making self-love not just beneficial but essential for emotional connectivity.
“When you say ‘yes’ to others, make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself.” – Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho’s quote warns against the cost of constantly accommodating others at the expense of one’s own needs.
It serves as a reminder to maintain personal boundaries and prioritize self-care, emphasizing that saying ‘no’ is sometimes necessary to preserve one’s own well-being and happiness. This balance is crucial for long-term satisfaction and avoiding resentment in relationships.
“The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.” – Diane Von Furstenberg
Diane Von Furstenberg highlights the significance of self-relationship as the most influential one in a person’s life.
This quote reflects the belief that a strong, positive self-relationship is the cornerstone of all external relationships and personal success. It encourages individuals to invest in understanding and loving themselves as a primary focus.
“You deserve to be the protagonist of your own wonderful, bizarre, terrifying, joyous, and unique story.” – Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Jonathan Lockwood Huie invites individuals to take charge of their own lives, suggesting that everyone deserves to lead a life as interesting and dynamic as those of protagonists in stories.
This quote motivates one to embrace the lead role in their personal journey, highlighting the empowerment that comes from directing one’s own life narrative.
“Self-respect is the cornerstone of all virtue.” – John Herschel
John Herschel ties self-respect to the foundation of all moral virtues. This quote suggests that virtues such as honesty, integrity, and compassion stem from a deep-seated respect for oneself.
It promotes the idea that cultivating self-respect is essential for living a principled and fulfilling life.
“Make yourself a priority. Your happiness is necessary, not optional.” – Mandy Hale
Mandy Hale emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing oneself. This quote advocates for the recognition of personal happiness as a critical and non-negotiable aspect of life.
It challenges the notion that self-care is a luxury, instead presenting it as an essential element of a balanced and healthy life.
“Be the kind of person who takes action on your own behalf.” – Cheryl Richardson
Cheryl Richardson encourages proactive self-advocacy. This quote stresses the importance of taking actions that reflect one’s own best interests, suggesting that actively working towards one’s personal goals is crucial for self-empowerment and achieving desired outcomes. It serves as a call to take responsibility for one’s own happiness and success.
“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” – Roy T. Bennett
Roy T. Bennett encourages a focus on aspirations rather than fears. This quote advises individuals to prioritize their dreams over their insecurities, suggesting that true guidance comes from one’s hopes and ambitions rather than anxieties. It’s a call to action to pursue what makes one genuinely passionate and happy, rather than being hindered by doubts or fears.
“You are enough just as you are.” – Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle’s statement is a powerful affirmation of self-acceptance. This quote emphasizes the idea that one does not need to change to be worthy of love or respect. It promotes self-acceptance and the understanding that personal worth isn’t contingent on meeting external standards or expectations, but rather embracing one’s true self.
“Self-care is not about self-indulgence; it’s about self-preservation.” – Audrey Lorde
Audrey Lorde redefines self-care as a vital act of survival, not a luxury. This quote stresses the importance of self-care as fundamental to maintaining one’s health and well-being. It challenges the notion that taking care of oneself is selfish, framing it instead as essential for sustaining one’s capacity to engage with life fully and effectively.
“Invest in yourself. It pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin highlights the value of self-investment. This quote underscores the idea that dedicating time and resources to personal development yields the greatest returns. It encourages continuous learning and growth, suggesting that the benefits of investing in oneself are substantial and long-lasting.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.” – Eleanor Brownn
Eleanor Brownn uses a vivid metaphor to emphasize the necessity of self-care. This quote serves as a reminder that one must first ensure their own well-being before they can effectively care for others. It advocates for replenishing one’s own resources as a prerequisite to giving generously to others.
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde captures the enduring nature of self-love. This quote proposes that starting a loving relationship with oneself sets the stage for a fulfilling and continuous personal journey.
It suggests that self-love is not a finite act but a perpetual engagement that enriches one’s life.
“Remember to delight yourself first, then others can be truly delighted.” – SARK
SARK proposes that personal joy is a prerequisite for sharing joy with others. This quote encourages individuals to find happiness within themselves first, which in turn enables them to genuinely enrich the lives of others.
It emphasizes the importance of personal contentment in fostering a positive and joyful environment for everyone.
“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.” – Mark Twain
Mark Twain’s advice deals with the importance of mutual respect in relationships. This quote emphasizes that one should not prioritize others who only see them as an option, advocating for a balance where personal needs are not sacrificed for those who do not reciprocate attention or respect.
It encourages individuals to value themselves highly and demand the respect they deserve in all relationships.
“Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean ‘me first,’ it means ‘me too.’” – L.R. Knost
L.R. Knost clarifies a common misconception about self-care. This quote distinguishes self-care from selfishness, suggesting that taking care of oneself is a matter of including oneself in one’s circle of care rather than prioritizing oneself over others. It promotes a healthy balance where one’s own needs are seen as important as the needs of others.
“Put yourself at the top of your to-do list every single day and the rest will fall into place.” – Unknown
This quote highlights the practicality of self-prioritization in daily life. By suggesting that one should make themselves a priority each day, it implies that personal well-being is the foundation upon which a productive and balanced life is built.
This advice encourages individuals to start their day by addressing their own needs, which in turn enables them to handle other responsibilities more effectively.
“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” – Jean Shinoda Bolen
Jean Shinoda Bolen advocates for actively incorporating joy and fulfillment into one’s life. This quote encourages individuals to seek out and cherish activities or pursuits that enrich their soul, emphasizing the importance of self-care by making space for these elements in one’s daily routine, thereby enhancing overall life satisfaction.
“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.” – Brené Brown
Brené Brown discusses the crucial role of boundaries in self-love and respect. This quote underlines that setting limits is key to maintaining one’s integrity and well-being, even if it means others might be let down.
It calls for bravery in asserting one’s needs as a fundamental act of self-respect.
“The moment you put a stop to people taking advantage of you and disrespecting you, is the moment you begin to respect yourself.” – Anonymous
This quote reflects on the transformative power of enforcing personal boundaries. It suggests that self-respect starts when one no longer tolerates disrespectful behavior, highlighting the direct link between how one allows others to treat them and their self-esteem. It serves as a call to action to defend one’s worth actively.
“You owe yourself the love that you so freely give to other people.” – Alexandra Elle
Alexandra Elle points out a common imbalance in how people distribute love and care. This quote inspires individuals to redirect some of the love and care they give to others back toward themselves.
It’s a reminder that they deserve the same level of compassion and kindness they offer, advocating for a healthier self-relationship.
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Final Thoughts
Putting yourself first is key to a healthy, balanced life. It is not about being selfish; it is about knowing your worth and making sure your needs are met.
When you focus on your well-being, you handle challenges better, support others more effectively, and live a happier life. Remember, you need to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone or anything else.