Sometime last year, someone asked me the question, "So Kim, what are you doing for you?"
Without hesitating, I answered, "Well, I joined the gym, and I'm trying to eat a bit healthier, oh, and I'm also planning my wedding!"
For some reason, after the conversation, I couldn't stop thinking about the question. While the answer I gave was satisfactory in the moment, I later realised that everything I mentioned revolved around either improving myself or preparing for the exciting new chapter in my life. Now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with self-improvement or preparing for the next big thing, but none of them answered the question in the way I think it was meant to be answered. None of it was really about joy, rest, or simply doing something because it made me feel good.
Life has a funny way of becoming routine before we even realise it. One minute you are trying to stay on top of a busy week, and the next thing you know, your days have started blending together. Work, errands, responsibilities, dinner, sleep, repeat. Somewhere in the midst of all that, many of us gradually stop prioritising ourselves. So if life has been feeling a little too repetitive lately, here are five little ways to start choosing yourself more.
Slow Down to Enjoy Ordinary Moments
One of the easiest ways to reconnect with yourself is to stop rushing through every part of your day. For many of us, life has become very task-oriented. We are constantly thinking about what needs to happen next instead of paying attention to what is happening right now. Mornings become rushed, meals become quick breaks between responsibilities, and even moments of rest are often spent scrolling through our phones. Choosing yourself can start with something as simple as slowing down. That might mean waking up a little earlier so your mornings feel calmer instead of chaotic. It could mean spending time with God before starting your day or listening to music while cooking dinner. My favourite thing to do while cooking is to watch long-form videos on YouTube. Whether I am catching up on my favourite vlogs, watching a true crime video or anything from Be Amazed, I find that these help to make cooking a bit more enjoyable and less like another chore to rush through. Sometimes life feels lighter when you stop treating every day like a race to the finish line.
Stop Waiting for Exhaustion Before You Rest
These days, being busy is something people glorify, while rest is now considered laziness instead of something necessary. As a result, many people only allow themselves to rest once they have reached complete exhaustion. Constantly running on empty eventually catches up with you, and exhaustion is not always physical. Mental fatigue can show up in small ways, such as feeling irritated easily, struggling to focus, or constantly feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks. Choosing yourself in this instance means understanding that rest is a requirement, not a reward. It is okay to take breaks. Learning how to pause before burnout is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. Life will always be busy in some way, but that does not mean your well-being should constantly come last.
Make Time for Things That Bring You Joy
When was the last time you did something just because you liked it? Adulthood has us believing that everything needs to be productive all the time. Even our hobbies suddenly come with goals, deadlines, and pressure attached to them. I am also guilty of this. I started blogging as a hobby because I genuinely enjoyed writing, but lately I’ve found myself putting pressure on myself to be more consistent and then feeling guilty whenever I go too long without posting on my website.
Setting goals is not a bad thing at all, but sometimes it can take the joy out of the very thing you once loved doing. Before you know it, your hobby starts feeling less like an escape and more like a second job. That is why making time for things that genuinely make you happy is such an important act of choosing yourself. Doing something purely because you enjoy it creates balance in your life. It reminds you that not every moment has to be productive and that your life should also contain moments of fun. Even something as simple as choosing to spend your day off at the beach instead of catching up on errands can break up the monotony of everyday life and help you feel more present and connected to yourself again.
Learn to Say No Without Feeling Guilty
One of the hardest parts of choosing yourself is realising that you cannot be available for everyone all the time. Many of us feel guilty saying no. We worry about disappointing people or seeming selfish, so we keep agreeing to things even when we are already exhausted. Constantly overextending yourself eventually takes a toll. Sometimes choosing yourself means protecting your peace, setting boundaries, and accepting that your energy is limited. Whether it is turning down plans, logging off work on time, or not replying to every message immediately, every no to something draining is a yes to your own well-being.
Spend Less Time Constantly Consuming
I don't think we talk enough about how mentally exhausting it is to constantly consume information all day. Between social media, emails, notifications, news updates, and endless scrolling, our minds rarely get a real break. Even our bedtime is spent looking at a screen. Over time, all that noise can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Choosing yourself can mean being more intentional about what you allow into your mental space. This doesn't mean disappearing from the internet, but it can mean taking small breaks from constant stimulation. It might be spending less time scrolling before bed, leaving your phone in another room for an hour, or simply choosing quiet instead of filling every waking moment with content. Giving your mind space to slow down can make a noticeable difference in how you feel. Not every moment needs to be occupied. Sometimes peace is found in the absence of noise.
Wrap Up
I think many of us have spent so much time focusing on responsibilities that we forgot we are also supposed to enjoy ourselves. Choosing yourself does not always look dramatic. Most of the time, it is found in small daily decisions. The little things matter more than we think. So maybe this week, choosing yourself looks like slowing down a little more. Maybe it means doing something fun without trying to make it productive. Maybe it means prioritising rest, setting boundaries, or finally making time for something that genuinely makes you happy. Whatever it looks like for you, let it remind you that your life should not only be about surviving responsibilities. You deserve to enjoy it too.
What is one small way you have been choosing yourself lately? Tell me in the comments below.
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