Be a Little Selfish

Mia Winhertt

To the selfless ones,
To the gregarious guns,
To the duty-bound,
I write.

There’s no shame,
There’s no unfair game,
There’s no need of guilt for you,
I plead.

You are allowed,
You can be equally proud,
You should live a little for yourselves,
I urge.

Even if you are pivotal for someone,
Even if you are irreplaceable by anyone,
Even so, you are more than that,
I know.

Not just a second fiddle,
Not just someone in the middle
Not just a shadow,
I can tell.

So take a break sometimes,
So break a leg other times,
So do something for just yourself,
I suggest.

This is your only life,
This yearns to be more than strife,
This deserves to be your way too,
Be a little selfish, I wish for you.

79 thoughts on “Be a Little Selfish”

    1. Thank you so much for the compliment, Julie! 🙂
      I agree. Mostly, it’s women who put themselves through a lot more than their fair share. They have every right to think about just themselves at least once in a while.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      1. I wrote about exactly this a couple of days ago – wondering if I was a needy pot plant that asked a lot, or a cactus that could withstand being ignored.

        I didn’t come to a conclusion, other than as you said, to worry that we get so used to putting ourselves last that we feel bad when we put ourselves first.

        Fabulous poem – perfect reminder. Linda xx

        Liked by 2 people

  21. Pingback: Be a Little Selfish – wordpress.blog/jameskedze

    1. Thanks for commenting, Goodmanvuma.
      When there are circumstances when one has to choose between being there completely for someone they love or just keep going with their lives, then it’s a difficult choice. The guilt of not giving one’s 100% when the other needs it can often make even simple things one used to do for oneself seem “selfish.” But then, like you said, one has to think for themselves too, & hence the premise of my poem. 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  25. Pingback: Be a Little Selfish – Great Feeling
  29. Pingback: Be a Little Selfish – Site Title

  30. …you should little bit live for yourself…amazing thought.here you are right that everyone should be a little selfish.Much appreciation for you this poem.❤🌹🙏🌹❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  33. Pingback: Be a Little Selfish – freedomdailywriting
  36. Pingback: Be a Little Selfish – Literary Luminary Liliana

Leave a reply to Lincol Martín Cancel reply