I’ve Become Selfish—And I’ve Never Felt Happier!
A Life Devoted to Family
My name is Natalie, I’m 42 years old, married, with two grown sons.
This is the story of a woman who spent her life devoted to others, until one day she said, “Enough!”
I got married at 19, and from that moment, my life belonged to my family.
While my friends went out, partied, and enjoyed their college years, I was rocking strollers, doing laundry, cleaning, and studying for exams at night because I did distance learning.
My grandma used to warn me:
“You can’t carry that much on your shoulders, you’ll break.”
But I was stubborn and tried to prove otherwise.
And I managed.
I had a second son, earned my degree, worked, took care of my husband and kids, forgetting about myself.
But I didn’t complain.
Three Men in the House—and All the Burden on Me
I loved my men, so I endured everything.
They’d scatter things around the house, leave dirty dishes on the table, forget to turn off the stove, and never thought about who was cleaning, doing laundry, or looking after them.
It was as if it was my duty to make their lives comfortable.
But I loved them.
So, I stayed silent and kept caring for them.
Until one day, I realized they just took my efforts for granted.
They didn’t care if I was tired, as long as dinner was on the table and shirts were ironed in the closet.
They didn’t realize I wasn’t their servant or housemaid, but a woman who also wants to live.
And one day, I’d had enough.
I Escaped to the Theatre
It was a typical winter day.
I came home from work to find the house a mess, as usual.
“That’s it!” I said to myself. “Enough!”
I turned around and left.
I hopped on a bus to the city center and bought a ticket to the theatre.
For the first time in years, I did something for myself.
On my way back, I saw dozens of missed calls from my husband and sons.
I turned off my phone and traveled home with a smile.
When I returned, they bombarded me with questions:
“Where were you? Why didn’t you tell us? Why isn’t dinner ready?”
I calmly replied:
“You’re adults. Figure it out. I’m living for myself now, too.”
I Changed—and I Loved It
And I kept my word.
From that day on, I stopped doing their laundry, cooking, cleaning up after them, and ironing shirts.
They could learn to do it themselves.
I remembered what it meant to live for myself.
I bought myself nice clothes instead of another pot or kitchen towel.
I booked appointments for a manicure, a visit to the hairdresser, and joined a gym.
I started meeting friends, strolling through the city, and taking trips out of town.
And you know what?
I liked it!
At first, my husband and sons couldn’t believe I had changed.
They thought I was just being difficult and would soon return to my old routine.
But when they ran out of clean clothes and the fridge was empty, they quickly learned how to use the washing machine, the stove, and the iron.
And I suddenly realized:
It’s wonderful to be selfish!
Oh, how I wish I’d understood this sooner.
