Putting Yourself First in 2024

Updated on October 15th, 2025

AD | It is easy to forget that you need to put yourself first sometimes. As we move into a new year, it is even more important that you are putting yourself first, no matter what that may mean. You can have a family and still put yourself first. You can have children and still put yourself first. Because putting yourself first does not mean putting other people last. It just means not making yourself at the bottom of the priority list. 

There is a reason that Mummy Bear’s porridge was always cold, and that is because she never made herself a priority. But your comfort is just as important as everybody else’s. Being able to thrive personally and professionally depends on how you approach the new year. Think of it as a new chapter to embrace. Some people approach the new year reading motivational quotes. Some people approach the new year with the details of a divorce lawyer in mind because their fresh start is all about putting themselves and their happiness first over trying to battle with somebody who is not giving them what they need. There is nothing stopping you from doing the same thing if that is what you need in your life to feel good about yourself again.

Eventually, you need to be able to say that you are the person you are most in charge of, and you need to be able to look back at your year and say that you had the happiest one yet. If you want to ensure that you are putting yourself first in 2024, then read on because we have put together a list of ways to make your well-being your number one priority. 

• Consider what you want personally. To put yourself first in 2024, you should first identify your goals. What are your personal goals for yourself this year? Once you put them into place, you will find it much easier to push your life forward rather than living a stagnant one. Identifying your personal objectives will help you put yourself first. You can use planning journals to help you ensure that your plans align with your personal growth and overall happiness.
• Set goals that you can actually achieve. If you set your goals and realize they are too ambitious, you might feel overwhelmed to manage them. You want to ensure that your self-esteem is through the roof and you do not disappoint yourself. Negative self-talk is what gets you down, but you can avoid that entirely by setting goals that are achievable for you. You want to make the right kind of progress in 2024, and you should reward yourself as you achieve each of your milestones. If you set achievable goals, you are going to thank yourself later.
• Work on your time management skills. If you want to put yourself first and prioritize yourself, you need to ensure you are not running out of time. It is nice to attempt to do everything, but you are only one person, and it is absolutely fine not to allow yourself to burn out at the expense of other people. Prioritizing your time effectively is going to allow you to put yourself first and make sure that you are managing your goals and objectives easily. Even in your personal life, it is better to plan your time effectively rather than try to cram things in and stretch yourself thin.
• Put self-care rituals into place. Self-care is not just going to have a bath or going to have a shower. That is just basic hygiene, and self-care rituals such as exercise or meditation are a must. If you have any hobbies you would like to dedicate some time to, now is the time to do it. You should always include those activities in your planning because these are non-negotiables, and they will make you feel good. The more self-care rituals you have, the better you will likely feel, and you can start prioritizing regular self-care rituals and ensure that you are putting yourself at the top of the list. Even things such as going to the dentist once in a while is going to really help you to boost up your confidence. Whether you need dental implants, dental veneers or you get a check up from the dentist who tells you you have a clean bill of health, you’ll be able to feel more powerful with the right smile. 
• Work on self-reflection. When trying to put yourself first, you should determine what mistakes you have made or areas you can improve on. Everybody makes mistakes, and even those of us who are trying to better ourselves need to reflect on those mistakes and areas we can improve so that we do not repeat the same things again and again. Life is all about learning, and sometimes, learning new things means embracing the mistakes that you have made and being honest with yourself. If you cannot be honest with yourself, you will find it difficult to put yourself first because you will constantly be punishing yourself and putting yourself last. Regular reflection on your achievements and mistakes will help you stay more motivated, so make sure you are dedicating a section in either your journal or your time slot for meditation to track your progress.
• Start expressing what you want. If you are going to put yourself in the priority position, then you have to be assertive in what you want. This can be a challenge for some, leading to dissatisfaction over time. However, if you are assertive, you will end up avoiding resentment and positively impacting your relationships. Putting yourself first requires learning to be more assertive in your needs and wants so that people understand your desires. You have to get OK with saying what you need, what you want, and when you want it.

• Put your mental health first. Mental health is often an overlooked and stigmatized part of health. You deserve to get as much support as possible for your mental health, and if you are dealing with issues such as anxiety and depression, then you need to do all that you can to make your mental health your priority. Journaling can help you with your mental health, but if you do not put yourself first and make sure that you are getting appointments to see a counselor or psychologist, you are going to end up neglecting your mental health, and it does not have to be that way.
• Make this the year that you learn to say no. Sometimes, you do not want to disappoint people, sometimes, you do not want to tell them no because it will put you in a position where you might get left out in the future. If you want to improve your mental health and your overall well-being, saying no is often a necessity. The inability to say no can mean that you overcommit and stretch yourself thin for things you do not have to stress over. Saying yes to everything can often be more stressful than saying no, and no is the shortest sentence you will ever say that will give you the greatest meaning. 
• Learn to find balance this year. Making sure you find balance will help reduce that constant juggle. You might still have to continue to balance your professional and personal responsibilities, but if you learn to find that balance, you will be able to avoid stress and burnout along the way. Putting relaxation at the top of your priority list and ensuring that you are keeping up with your goals will help you keep yourself steady.
• Start investing in your growth. In 2024, you might write down goals or resolutions that you want to achieve. Personal development often comes to the sidelines of professional success. But if you are investing in your personal growth by setting aside time for your hobbies and investing your time well, you are going to find it easier to put yourself at the forefront of your mind for a change.
• Make physical health a priority. When was the last time you spoke to a doctor or had a check up? When was the last time you had a dentist appointment? Getting these appointments booked in advance for 2024 can make you feel like you are ahead of the game with your health because you will be. Prioritizing your physical well-being should be important for you. So incorporate the right exercise and make sure that your diet is balanced and you are getting enough sleep. Making your physical health a priority is going to make a difference to your overall health and well-being.
• Put up boundaries. If you have previously felt you have been walked over all or stressed out by other peopl, then it is time to put some boundaries around yourself. You should learn that it is OK to push back and put yourself first.

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How will you be putting yourself first in 2024?