Strong, Not Stressed: Why Putting Yourself First Isn’t Selfish

Strong, Not Stressed: Why Putting Yourself First Isn’t Selfish

As a parent, I did a lot of what other parents do, the same thing many of us fall into when our kids are young. We book them into every activity we can, sports, music, dance, swimming, anything that keeps them active, learning, and happy. We want to give them the best that life has to offer.

My children are a lot older now, but when I started meVSme, I realised I was doing the exact same thing again just this time it was with my members instead of my kids so much.

I threw myself into providing as much as I could for everyone else, supporting our members, caring for their well-being, focusing on their fitness, their mindset, their mental health. And like so many of us who lead with care, I got really busy.

Then one day earlier this year, I stopped and reflected and realised that while I had been putting everyone else first, I’d completely forgotten about myself again.

The Moment I Realised I’d Lost My Own Rhythm

I’d stopped making my own training a priority.

I’d stopped paying attention to how I was fuelling my body.

And slowly, without even noticing, I’d lost my fitness, my strength and gained weight.

But more than that, I’d lost my spark.

The energy, creativity, and drive that usually kept me excited about what’s next had turned into a feeling of constantly chasing my tail. Everything started to feel like a rush instead of a rhythm.

That’s when it hit me: I can’t keep pouring into everyone else if I’m running on empty.

Choosing Strength Over Stress

So I made a decision. I was going to take my own advice and do what I encourage so many of our members to do: make myself a priority.

I started booking my own training sessions into my calendar and treating them as non-negotiables.

I also hired a personal trainer, someone who keeps me accountable twice a week. (Because let’s be honest, when you’re paying good money and someone’s waiting for you, you show up!)

And the difference has been incredible.

When I move my body, my energy lifts.

When I eat well, my focus sharpens.

When I make space for myself, I show up stronger for everyone else.

And not only that, but my aches and pains that I have been experiencing have lessened, I have more energy and best of all I have more ideas, more drive and create some exciting and genuine initiatives to support others instead of feeling stretched and stressed

A Reminder for You

If you’re reading this and you’ve been putting yourself last, please take this as your sign to stop.

Book sometime into your calendar to move, whatever that looks like for you.

Treat it like any other important appointment. We service our car to keep it in tiptop condition, why are we not doing the same for ourselves. We can buy a new car if it breaks down, but you can’t buy a new body……..

If you’re too tired after work, wake up half an hour earlier. Get outside. Go for a walk. Breathe in the fresh air.

Movement doesn’t just change your body, it changes your mood, your clarity, and your energy,

and that energy flows into everything and everyone around you.

It’s not selfish to make time for yourself. It’s self-respect.

You’re not taking away from others when you fill your own cup. you’re ensuring you have more to give.

So this week, make yourself a non-negotiable.

You deserve to feel strong, not stressed. 💙