I just turned 40 this week.
And while birthdays usually bring cake, candles, and maybe a little reflection—this one hit differently.
Because ten years ago, at 30, I made a decision that changed the entire course of my life:
I quit my desk job as a trader… and flew to India to become a yoga teacher.
Not exactly the “safe” or “logical” path.
But for the first time, I wasn’t making a decision based on what others expected.
I wasn’t choosing the practical thing, the responsible thing, or the thing that made everyone else feel comfortable.
I chose me.
Now, this email isn’t about quitting your job or moving to another country.
It’s about what’s possible when you stop putting yourself last and start showing up for yourself instead.
If you’re constantly exhausted...
If you’ve spent years taking care of everyone else…
If you’ve forgotten what it even feels like to feel good in your body…
What if you didn’t have to live that way anymore?
When you start putting yourself first, even in small ways, everything changes.
✨ You stop running on fumes
✨ You become more grounded, more alive
✨ You stop resenting your days and start enjoying life again
Here are 7 simple ways to start putting yourself first—beginning today:
(No job quitting required 😉)
1. Block out ‘Me Time’ like it’s non-negotiable
Start with just 15 minutes. Stretch, walk, breathe, journal - anything that reconnects you to you. This is your sacred time, and it matters.
2. Nourish your body like it matters
Choose one meal today that supports your energy and mood. No diets, no perfection. Just a simple choice that leaves you feeling good afterward.
3. Move daily, even for 10 minutes
Not to shrink your body, but to reclaim it. Yoga, a walk, a stretch, dancing in your kitchen. Movement is a way to say: “I’m here, and I matter.”
4. Say no without guilt
Every time you say “yes” to something you don’t truly want, you say “no” to your own needs. This week, protect your peace. Say no once, and feel the power in it.
5. Do one thing just because it brings you joy
Not for anyone else. Not to check off a box. Just because it fills your soul. Read. Paint. Nap. Bake. Laugh. Let joy be reason enough.
6. Rest without earning it
You don’t have to hustle your way into rest. Your body and mind deserve downtime. Even five minutes of stillness can shift your whole day.
7. Speak kindly to yourself
Catch that critical inner voice and choose a softer one instead. You wouldn’t talk to a friend like that. You deserve compassion too.
Takeaway
You don’t have to wait for the perfect time.
You don’t need everything to be in place.
And you definitely don’t need to hit rock bottom to rise.
You just need one moment of courage to say:
“I matter too.”
Have a wonderful day ✨
Idan
By opting in, you agree to receive emails from me and to my