Thinking of yourself is Selfless!!

Through my journey of overcoming my anxiety and bouts of depression, I want to say that I've come to terms with so much realization. I am a person who normally priotizes the needs of others before myself. Before, I would think it is boasting in a bad way that I'm a great friend, a great daughter, a great sister, a great girlfriend- and what shocked me is that no it's not boasting or bragging at all, it's coming to terms and accepting my qualities. Rather than keeping those positive thoughts in my head where it can't be heard by anyone- I say it out loud to myself and to my loved ones that I'm proud of who I am. I never truly accepted the person I was and am. I was always too quick to judge myself, compare myself to others and wishing I had certain skills and features that would make me happier, and I couldn't have been more wrong. Self-love is essential in fulfilment. I couldn't accept who I was and am until recently. It's not selfish but selfless in caring about myself and putting myself first. No matter what I will always be there for my family, friends, and significant other- but in order to be there for the ones I care for, I need to be taken care of first. I'm not in some obligatory contract that forces me to put the needs of others before myself so rigoruously. To those who feel the weight of being needed so much, please never feel as though you can't take time for yourself to wind down. You deserve a break and doing the things you enjoy without feeling guilt. It's been so rewarding and liberating in not feeling guilty in doing things for myself. You are in charge of your happiness and I learned that a big part of a life of happiness is accepting the individual I am along with my qualities. No doubt, I was very hesitant on the whole "inner happiness concept" and "looking within logic" to find peace with myself when I first developed anxiety and depression, but it works and I am proof that it does. I accept myself for all that I am. With anxiety, so many thoughts drifted in and out of my head and some were scary that I pretended as if I never had them-but that only made them scarier by denying them. I learned to adapt to the fact that yes- i thought this even though it's scary, but hey I have anxiety and scary thoughts are normal to have. I accept that I had them and moved on. Same with feelings, I felt bad for feeling anxious, and angry, and sad but because I denied feeling anything other than happy, and put on a brave face when I was really broken -it was denial of who I was. Accept and be aware that being sad and mad isn't bad thing and shouldn't be judged. It's all about being human and feeling an array of emotions. Acceptance is so important and once I accepted by feelings and thoughts, I felt a wave of relief and a weight has been lifted. I know how hard times can be, but please know how special you are. You are amazing because you are you, and there is no one but you. Love youself, accept yourself, and believe in your strength. I found mine and I'm using it and digging deeper to find even more to help me accept that I have anxiety and I can overcome it. Stay strong and have a great day to anyone who is reading this. I hope this gives you strength but please know strength is already in you!