Forums » Smalltalk » A question/drop-in

I used to be the kind of person that would always help or give advice to everybody and would let anybody back into my life if they only apologized, no matter what had happened between us. Then some things happened that really made me realize that I should put myself first and that I myself am the only person who's really, truthfully got my back 24/7.

I don't think that makes me selfish; I still help other people whenever I can, keyword being whenever I can. I no longer go out of my way to help somebody or help people if helping them could potentially result in negative consequences for me. Sure, to some that may seem selfish, but I simply choose to follow my own best interest first and everyone else's second (unless pursuing my own best interest may carry negative consequences for others).

What really made this mindset stick was when, after a particularly messy break-up, my mother told me ''Once you're on your deathbed, you'll be the only one that has your back.'' Sounds incredibly morbid, but I personally think it's true; once I'm dying, I'll be the one deciding wether I lived a happy or unhappy life. A life in which I constantly put others first is not a happy life to me.