I became self-centered—and for the first time in my life, I felt truly happy!
A Life Devoted to Family
My name is Natalie, I’m 42 years old, married, with two grown-up sons.
This is the story of a woman who spent her life devoted to others until one day she decided: “Enough is enough!”
I got married at 19, and from that moment, my life was dedicated to my family.
While my friends went out, partied, and enjoyed their college years, I was pushing a pram, doing laundry, cleaning, and staying up late preparing for exams as I studied part-time.
My grandma used to warn me:
— You can’t carry such a load; you’ll break down.
But I was stubborn and determined to prove otherwise.
And I managed.
I had a second son, got my degree, educated myself, worked, and took care of my husband and children, forgetting about myself.
But I never complained.
Three Men in the House—and All on Me
I loved my men, and so I endured everything.
They would toss their clothes everywhere, leave dirty dishes on the table, forget to turn off the stove, and never wondered who cleaned up, did the laundry, or took care of them.
As if it was my duty to make their lives comfortable.
But I loved them.
So I stayed silent and continued taking care of them.
Until I realized one day that they had simply taken my efforts for granted.
They weren’t interested in whether I was tired or not; all that mattered to them was a hot dinner on the table and a clean shirt in the wardrobe.
They never thought that I was not their servant, not their maid, but a woman who also wanted to live.
And one day, I’d had enough.
I Escaped to the Theatre
It was an ordinary winter day.
I came home from work, and as usual, the place was a mess.
— Enough! – I said to myself. – I’m done!
I turned around and walked out the door.
I caught a bus to town, bought a ticket to a theatre.
For the first time in years, I did something for myself.
On the way back, I saw numerous missed calls from my husband and sons.
I turned off my phone and rode home with a smile.
When I got back, they bombarded me with questions:
— Where were you? Why didn’t you tell us? Why isn’t dinner ready?
I calmly replied:
— You’re all adults. You’ll figure it out. From now on, I’m living my life too.
I Changed—and I Liked it
And I kept my word.
From that day on, I stopped washing their clothes, cooking, cleaning up after them, ironing shirts.
Let them learn to do it themselves.
And I remembered what it meant to live for myself.
I bought myself lovely clothes, not another pot or kitchen towel.
I booked appointments for manicures, haircuts, signed up for the gym.
I began meeting up with friends, strolling around town, going on trips.
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 fussy and would soon return to the old routine.
But when they ran out of clean clothes and food, they quickly mastered the washing machine, stove, and iron.
And then I suddenly realized:
How wonderful it is to be selfish!
What a pity I understood it so late.
