Nowadays, people in general are asked to do one too many things: keep up and do excell in school; get into college; perform well in a job, etc etc. We are taught that these things are the ones that matter, that can help us be successful and achieve our goals. Whereas that is partly true, it’s definitely not all of it.
Yes, throughout our lives we will always encounter obligations, things we’ve got to do, that just get more and more complicated as we age. My duty right now is to do my homework and study, in five years it might be paying taxes. Teenagers, particularly, are sometimes asked too much. Adolescence is a formative period of time for each person, that grey area between childhood and adulthood in which we are treated and expected to act a little bit like both. And in the middle of the whole hormone-craze, our obligations sometimes exceed us.
For some people, for example, life works around what to study, when and how. Some things are shoved into the background of the picture. Why? Because we’re told studying, homework, doing our best in our academic life should be our number one priority. I’m aware that this is not the case for many teenagers, but it doesn’t erase the fact that this actually happens around the world.
Countless times, us teenagers have felt drowned in our responsibilities; adults turning their backs on some of our necessities doesn’t help much either. If I had a dime for every ”it’s only a ohase, a period in your life”, maybe I’d be able single handedly fund Planned Parenthood for the rest of my life and a couple for years after that. Sure, I’m aware of the fact that high-school and college don’t last forever. But I can promise you it’s not a comforting thought, people still go through an awful time. Some are so neglected they don’t even make it out of that phase.
No job, test, piece of homework, or whatever should ever be more important or be held higher that oneself and one’s both physical and mental health.
You should be your number one priority, now and always. Take the time to stop for a moment and care for yourself, attend your needs, worry about your wellbeing. It doesn’t matter if other people tell you your priorities are messed up; if you but yourself at the top of your list, your priorities will be so straight they’ll be offended there’s not a pride month for them. You should always be above your obligations. Being in harmony with who you are and what is going on with your life is key to succeeding in your tasks and duties.
The practice of self-care is a refined art that everyone can master with some practice and determination. It’s not selfish, not at all. You’ll find that if you take the time to check up on yourself and take care of yourself, caring for others and developing throughout life will be much easier, efficient, and pleasant. Just remember: you come first, you deserve to be cared for, and no one better to do that than yourself.
