There’s nothing wrong with a bit of self-preservation

When someone you know is in pain, or needs help, or is lost in one way or another – you should be there immediately and fully. A good friend is one who listens and cares. They are available and present and aware.

That is not what this article is about, though. Not specifically. Rather, I would like to discuss self-preservation. Obviously, selfishness is not the most attractive quality for a person to possess – that would probably be a strong jawline (jokes) (a little bit) – but that does not mean that it is unnecessary.

It’s all about number one

Let’s start with that simple idea. If you are preoccupied with things that are going wrong in your own life, please, please, please don’t ignore them. I know plenty of people who put off their troubles because they care so deeply for the people around them. That is a brilliant way to live, but an unreasonable one. Why is someone else’s well-being worth more than your own? The #truth is, it is not (I’m using a hashtag because that’s how kids these days know what’s important). People are equal in every sense of the word and if you believe that then allow yourself to act as such, even when it applies to yourself.

My New Year’s Resolution this year was to stop pressuring myself to go to the gym (I needed one I could stick with, leave me be), but you know what, I think I can do better. Personally, this past year has been one of mild-soul searching and thoughtfulness and it’s time that the things I’ve considered changing come to fruition. I’ve made it my goal to not treat people the way I treat myself – or rather, to treat myself the way I try to treat other people: with value and compassion. A wordy resolution? Yes. One I can keep? Maybe. Important to try? I would say, yuh.

Having set my goal, I’m going to make a plea to everyone who has any sort of problem in their life, no matter how tiny, and seemingly irrelevant – please, do something. Tiny problems have tiny solutions, right? If you’re hungry, in town, and have no money for food, ask a friend to lend you £3. If you need an extension on your Anthropology essay, send an email. If you accidentally head-butt your friend (it happens), apologise. EASY. Once you fix all of these little things in your life, you can focus on the bigger ones – which, yes, have more complex solutions. But, the concept is the same. Identify what’s not right and flippin’ do something.

Love yourself. Believe in the people and places around you. Be good to the people you hate. Show respect to people who don’t deserve it. That is literally all the advice I have for living a good life. I’m out.