LAST ON THE LIST
You have a list.
Unwritten, invisible — but it exists. Every day you work through it. The kids. Your partner. Work. The friend who needs you. Your parents. Your colleague. Your neighbor.
And at the end — if anything is left — you.
But most of the time, nothing is left.
And you tell yourself: tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll rest. Tomorrow I’ll do what I actually want. Tomorrow I’ll show up for myself.
And tomorrow brings a new list.
Life didn’t teach you to put yourself last. You learned it. Slowly. Out of love, out of responsibility, out of fear of seeming selfish.
But here is a question you rarely ask yourself: if you don’t take care of yourself — what exactly are you giving to everyone else?
Your reserves. The last of what you have. The part that’s already running out.
You cannot pour from an empty cup. And you shouldn’t have to try.
Move yourself a little higher on the list. Not first — if you’re not ready for that yet. But not last either.
You deserve it. Not tomorrow. Today.
🌿 Today’s mantra: “Taking care of myself is not selfishness. It is responsibility.”
🪬 Talisman: Today do one thing — just one — only for yourself. Not for anyone else. Not because you have to. But because you deserve it.
✨ From the upcoming book “365 Wisdoms” — Lina Sol
Living a life where you constantly prioritize others can feel rewarding but exhausting. From my personal experience, I’ve found that the invisible list of daily responsibilities—kids, work, friends, and family—can quickly drain your mental and emotional reserves if you never pause to recharge yourself. The phrase "You cannot pour from an empty cup" truly resonates after many moments of burnout. It wasn’t easy to move myself up the list. Initially, it felt selfish, almost like I was letting others down by saying no or setting boundaries. However, when I started taking small actions just for me—whether it was a short walk alone, reading a favorite book for fifteen minutes, or simply sitting quietly—I noticed a positive shift. These moments weren't about indulgence but about responsibility toward my own well-being. The mindset of "tomorrow I will rest" often kept pushing my needs further down the list, but tomorrow never felt like a good time. Realizing that self-care is not selfish but necessary helped me reframe how I see my value. Taking care of yourself means showing up more fully for others, as you have more energy and patience when you're not depleted. If you're struggling with the guilt of putting yourself first, try starting small. Do one thing today just because you deserve it, not because anyone else needs it. It might feel strange at first, but it's a crucial step toward sustainable happiness and balance in life. Remember, life didn’t teach us to put ourselves last; it’s a learned pattern that can be unlearned with intention and kindness toward oneself.