Today, I choose ME.

As I reflect on my life, I see a pattern. I have been a dependable, go-to person—a reliable pair of hands who assures bosses, friends, family and boyfriend that I’ll always get things done. Being useful and recognized for my efforts feels good. It’s fulfilling to step up for others, knowing I’m capable of helping others. When I advocate for clients, negotiate claims, or use my knowledge to secure positive outcomes, I feel like I’m putting my expertise in insurance and my professional network to good use. In those moments, I help someone impress their boss or keep their business afloat—and that, too, feels (thankless but) rewarding.

But here’s the thing: whenever there’s a demand, big or small, I jump in. I have often chosen others over ME.

Recently, I returned from a 1.5-week holiday in Hanoi—a rare break since April. Right after this trip, I wasn’t feeling 100% probably due to the flu season. A lingering cold had me under the weather, with a runny nose and fever dragging me down. It wasn’t severe, but it was enough to make me realize I needed rest. I can literally feel my body protesting, for not listening to her SOS signals. 

Still, the urgent tasks at work wouldn’t wait, and I pushed through the last few days despite my condition. I relied on medicine to suppress the symptoms and kept going. This morning, I woke up feeling groggy, my head heavy from the medication. I was caught between two choices: should I push through one more workday before the weekend, or should I listen to my body and finally allow myself to rest?

I chose the latter. For once, I chose ME over family, friends, or work—and I felt empowered. 

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I was reminded of a conversation with a friend who once said, “When we’re working, we’re helping someone else build their dream.” How often do we make building someone else’s dream our life’s priority? Sacrificing personal time, family time, and even “me” time, we forget to ask ourselves: What’s my dream? We invest so much in fulfilling others’ dreams that we lose sight of our own, giving up the right to dream at all.

That hit me hard because it’s so true.

I am grateful for everything work and life have exposed me to. Sometimes, I feel like I’ve been chosen for big things because I am capable. There is so much I want to share—stories about my travels, reflections on how I feel, insights from professional experiences, and lessons I’ve learned along the way. I realize that unexpressed memories eventually fade, and I don’t want that to happen. And I also come to realization that no matter how hard I work, delivering good or bad results, world moves on and what really is truly important to me, is me. If I allow for others to constantly challenge my boundary and demand for my attention, that's me letting it happen and I need to step up for myself (like I did for others) to clarify and remind others of that boundary when necessary.  

So here I am, creating a space for myself—a place to write and express freely. This is my corner of the world where I work for and please no one but me. 

Today, I choose ME.