Choose YOU!
How to practice self-love is giving yourself permission to choose you. The moment you start choosing yourself after a lifetime of pleasing others, some people will push back. That’s not a sign to stop — it’s proof you’re finally growing. Not everyone will understand your need for space — and that’s okay. Your job isn’t to explain, it’s to protect your peace and stand in your power. That is often a difficult choice to make. But please know that prioritizing yourself is not a betrayal of others, it’s a valuing of you.
How to Practice Self-Love? Choose YOU.
Choosing YOU is an Esteemable Act. Consider the following as ways to practice self-love. Setting boundaries to protect your time, energy, and emotional well-being is a powerful act of self-leadership. It doesn’t mean you don’t care about others — it means you finally care about yourself, too.” That’s a principle worth applying across all areas of your life. Download your Family & Friends Worksheet and get ready to Choose YOU …
In your health:
- Taking a full lunch break — without multitasking.
- Leaving social situations when your body feels overwhelmed.
- Rescheduling commitments when you need recovery time.
In your finances:
- Declining to split a bill that exceeds what you actually ordered.
- Pressing pause on subscriptions, services, or spending habits that aren’t aligned.
- Choosing financial goals that reflect your values, not outside pressure.
In your service or spiritual life:
- Saying no to requests that overextend you.
- Honoring your sabbath or day of rest.
- Taking time to reconnect with what you believe.
In business or home:
- Blocking off calendar time for uninterrupted focus.
- Creating a “quiet hour” at home.
- Refusing projects that conflict with your priorities.
You’re not selfish for taking care of yourself — you’re responsible.
Self-Reflection Q&A: Consider sitting with these questions and journaling your honest responses.
- In what area of life am I most reluctant to choose myself?
- Who taught me that putting myself first was wrong?
- Where do I need more space or silence?
- What priority of mine has been pushed aside?
- What does choosing me look like?
This blog is part of theEsteemable Acts® Vision and Values series. If you’d like a framework for getting clearer on what matters to you, start with our foundational worksheet. Page 9 invites you to write or revisit your personal vision statement: Vision and Values Worksheet
Boundaries in Your Professional Life
Sometimes, choosing you professionally means being intentional about who you work with — and how.
As a consultant, I’ve helped clients define their life goals and map a path toward them. I support creative entrepreneurs in avoiding scope creep by building clear, respectful deliverables into their contracts. As a lawyer, I guide clients in aligning their estate plans with what truly matters to them.
These aren’t just legal or strategic actions — they’re Esteemable Acts. And, each one is a reminder that protecting your values is not just possible — it’s powerful.
To learn more, visit FrancineWard.com.
Next week, we’ll have our final blog in the Family & Friends section of the Vision and Values Series. We then start the third quarter exploring Health and Finance themes.
Francine D. Ward
Attorney-at-Law, Author, Speaker
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