{"id":1933,"date":"2013-02-08T18:02:04","date_gmt":"2013-02-08T23:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/heartsdesireintl.com\/?p=1933"},"modified":"2013-02-08T18:02:04","modified_gmt":"2013-02-08T23:02:04","slug":"love-yourself-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heartsdesireintl.com\/home\/love-yourself-first\/","title":{"rendered":"Love Yourself First"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Gladys Diaz<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/a><\/p>\n

For years, I put everything and everyone else’s needs ahead of my own. A part of me felt proud when I would go to work, burning up in fever, sacrifice what I wanted so that someone else could have what they wanted, and rarely ever said what I wanted, so as not to seem selfish.<\/p>\n

Some people might describe this as being “loving,” and, to a certain extent, they are probably right. I was being very loving and generous with everyone… except myself<\/i>.\u00a0 Then I started realizing that, in order to be able to give love, I was going to have to begin with me<\/i>.\u00a0 I could not continue running on fumes and expecting to be the type of wife, mother, and woman I strive to be.<\/p>\n

So I began practicing self-care\u2026 and lots of it<\/i>.\u00a0 I began doing the things that I\u2019d stopped doing somewhere along the line \u2013 those things that made me happy and brought me peace of mind, body, and spirit.\u00a0 I began reading \u2013 not for work, but for the fun <\/i>of it.\u00a0 I began knitting and making jewelry because I love arts and crafts.\u00a0 I began taking courses that interested me and helped me grow spiritually and personally.\u00a0 I began taking bubble baths, slathering myself in lotion, and getting pedicures.\u00a0 And most of all, I began feeling like me again!<\/p>\n

Now, before I give you the impression that I live a life of total leisure, I\u2019ll let you know that I own my own business, do freelance work on top of that on the side, have two very active little boys, and do my own cooking and cleaning.\u00a0 I\u2019ve just learned that I have to make myself a priority if I\u2019m going to be able to have the patience it takes to create the kind of home, marriage, family, and career that I want!<\/p>\n

So, how do I manage to get it all in?\u00a0 I plan for it!\u00a0 Here\u2019s how you can, too!<\/p>\n

\u00a01. Make a list of the things that make your heart sing.<\/strong><\/p>\n