Hi, I'm Emilia Isabelle

Making Yourself No. 1

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Who Am I?

There’s a version of me I’ve met too many times: the snappy, drained, short-fused version. The one who’s answering a hundred questions before 6.00 am without even brushing her teeth yet (gross). The one who’s surviving the day rather than living it. The one who looks in the mirror and sees not just tired eyes but someone slightly resentful at everyone and no one all at once.

That version of me shows up when I forget to put myself first.

We’ve all heard the phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” but when you’re a parent, a partner, a friend, an employee or an existing human being, it’s easy to let your own needs slide. The problem is, every time I do that, I pay for it later and so does everyone around me, mainly my son.

I have to remind myself constantly that putting myself first isn’t selfish. It’s survival, strategy and sanity.

The 30 Minutes That Changed Everything

I used to think sleeping in as late as possible was “making the most” of my rest. In reality, waking up just 30 minutes earlier gives me a massive head start. That pocket of quiet time to get ahead with no cartoons, no cereal negotiations, no questions about the world’s most powerful dinosaur, that time is completely mine (featuring the birds chirping outside). I get to move slowly, breathe, maybe sip coffee while it’s still hot, do a morning workout and read some of my book in pure peace. It’s the difference between chaos and calm, between reacting and responding.

That half hour doesn’t just make me feel better. It makes me better: a more patient parent, a calmer version of myself.

The Workout Isn’t About Weight Loss

Let’s be honest. Some days, the last thing I want to do is work out but I’ve stopped framing it as punishment or a chore. The workout I do today is a gift. It’s from current me to tomorrow me. It’s not just about physical health, it’s about keeping the inner critic at bay. When I move my body, I feel strong, and I feel capable. Not only that, but in doing so I’m reminded that I’m showing up for myself, even if it’s just 20 minutes.

Reading: A Lifeline to a Bigger World

We all default to small talk but I want more. I want my brain to be fed, I want to sit across from someone and talk about ideas, stories, the world and share knowledge. So I read, not to sound smart or check a box, but to become more curious, more thoughtful, more interesting. Reading connects me to parts of myself I forget exist in the daily grind.

What Are You Doing for You?

We live in a world that glorifies business and burnout, but no one gives you a trophy for putting yourself last.

So let’s do some self-reflection and ask yourself the following:

• What little change could you make that future you would thank you for?
• What makes you feel strong, clear-headed, and like the best version of you?
• What do you need to stop resenting the people you love just because you never got a second to breathe?

Putting yourself first doesn’t mean ignoring others. It means making sure the person you’re offering to the world isn’t running on fumes which unfortunately in the past, I’ve been extremely familiar with.

So… what are you doing today to be the best version of yourself?