Who’s the one person you keep pushing aside, the one who often comes last on your list? We’re quick to be there for others—the friend who calls at midnight, the coworker needing help, or the family member asking for one more favor. But there’s one person we routinely forget, one who deserves as much care and attention as anyone else in our lives.

It’s you.

Think about it. How often have you postponed something that would make you happy—a hobby, a much-needed rest, or even a quiet moment—just to keep everyone else’s world spinning smoothly? We may not even realize it, but in the little decisions we make every day, we gradually let ourselves down.

A friend of mine shared a moment that hit her hard. She’d always been the dependable one, constantly praised for her generosity and patience. But one evening, alone after a long day, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and felt… nothing. She didn’t recognize the tired eyes staring back. “I’ve been there for everyone but me,” she told me. That was the night she realized she’d spent years giving to everyone except the one person who needed her most.

Sound familiar? So many of us are conditioned to see selflessness as strength. We ignore our own needs to the point where “one day” becomes “never,” and little dreams gather dust. We tell ourselves we’ll get to them later, but for some reason, later never arrives.

Imagine if you took a different path. What if, for once, you made a small choice in your own favor? What if you carved out just a little time for what makes you feel alive? You don’t have to change your life overnight, just take small steps to acknowledge the person you’ve been overlooking.

So, next time you’re faced with a choice, pause. Think of the person who’s been waiting for your attention all this time. Because, honestly, they’ve been there for you through everything—and they deserve it.