My wonderful late father used to tell his children to always look after number one. It was something he said frequently, and yet decades on, I’m only just realising the value of his wisdom.

He had good reason to make these words his mantra: he was an abandoned baby, found outside a pub.  Against the odds he set up one of the most successful businesses in the photographic sector.

But we didn’t see him much – our parents were divorced and home life was dysfunctional. My childhood was orientated around trying to bring about appeasement, and walking on eggshells.

Looking after number one didn’t occur to me. Besides, it would have been viewed as indulgent, and that poor wiring in my brain has not entirely faded. I’d heard phrases such as: “put your life jacket on first before you help someone else” – I just didn’t apply it to my own life.

Yet, these days, I’ve finally realised the magnitude of my father’s words, and try to no longer view taking care of myself as a luxury. It’s actually fundamentally important to ensure that our foundations are as strong as possible, before we can come to the aid of someone else.

Some of the ways that we can take care of our own wellbeing may evade a fractured mind – however, some of the basic coping techniques we can adopt include: eating regular and nourishing meals, exercising, getting enough sleep, or pursuing a hobby.

Once you can check off the above, you can look at applying this principle to your wider lifestyles, such as saying goodbye to people pleasing, no longer feeling obliged to go somewhere that you don’t want to, or getting pulled into someone else’s agenda when it’s not what you want to do.

Time is precious, and life is not a rehearsal. Frequently, and although they don’t mean to, some people around you subconsciously can tell if you’re badly rooted to yourself. They will take advantage of your desire to be amiable and are focused on their agendas over yours.

They are busy looking after number one… and now it’s your turn to do the same!