In this episode of First to Thrive, Nicole sits down with Arielle Abalon, a Filipino-American artist, to talk about the powerful yet challenging act of prioritizing yourself, especially when faced with family expectations. Arielle shares a deeply personal story of navigating a difficult conversation with her dad about marriage and having kids. Instead of succumbing to societal and familial pressures, Arielle courageously sets boundaries, prioritizes her own desires, and advocates for her right to choose her own path.

Key Takeaways:

• Setting Boundaries with Family

• Not conforming to Family Expectations

• Fear and Regret Are Not Your Burdens

• Honor Yourself and Your Family by prioritizing what you truly want

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Nicole's 2-part Workshop Series: Sign up here to start prioritizing your own needs and desires, and learn how to make decisions that align with your true values. https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/workshopseries

Follow Nicole:

• Instagram: @nicolecruzcoaching

• Website: www.nicolecruz.com

• Join the book waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Your feedback helps us reach more people in the First to Thrive community. Thank you for tuning in!

Welcome to 2025! In this heartfelt and reflective episode, Nicole Cruz shares her journey of prioritizing herself in a season of transformative change, including writing a book that aims to serve first- and second-generation immigrant communities. Nicole explores why prioritizing yourself is essential—not just personally but for the larger collective—and how this practice signals self-worth and breaks generational patterns of self-sacrifice.

What to Expect in This Episode

• Nicole’s personal journey of prioritizing her book project and making space for what matters most.

• The challenges of putting yourself first, especially as a first- or second-generation immigrant.

• Why prioritizing yourself is more than just “self-care”—it’s a declaration of your worth.

• The connection between self-prioritization and advocating for the community in challenging times.

• Five signs that you may need to prioritize yourself more.

Key Takeaways

1. Prioritizing Yourself is Revolutionary

   • Putting your wants and needs first is not selfish—it’s a way to affirm your value and break free from harmful generational patterns of self-sacrifice.

2. The Emotional Roots of Self-Prioritization

   • Nicole discusses how guilt, shame, and cultural expectations can make prioritizing yourself feel unnatural, but it’s a practice worth embracing for long-term well-being.

3. A Vision for the Future

   • Nicole envisions her book as a well-worn, highlighted resource for immigrant descendants, guiding them to make decisions rooted in their values and desires.

4. Five Signs You Need to Prioritize Yourself More

   • Always saying yes and struggling to set boundaries.

   • Feeling stretched thin and overcommitting.

   • Neglecting personal desires and goals in favor of others’ needs.

   • Constantly seeking external validation or approval.

   • Experiencing resentment or burnout from overgiving.

5. An Invitation for 2025

   • What would it look like to live a life where your needs, desires, and values take center stage? Nicole encourages listeners to imagine and work toward this possibility in 2025.

Resources Mentioned

• Nicole’s upcoming book: Supporting immigrant descendants in shifting from proving themselves to prioritizing themselves. Join the waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book

• Connect with Nicole on Instagram and LinkedIn for updates on the book and workshops. https://www.instagram.com/nicolecruzcoaching/

Join the Conversation
Have you experienced challenges in prioritizing yourself? What shifts are you hoping to make this year? Share your thoughts and stories with Nicole on social media or in the podcast community!

Subscribe & Share

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who could benefit from prioritizing themselves in 2025.

Struggling to follow through on your goals? In this episode, Nicole Cruz breaks down why follow-through is hard, especially for 1st and 2nd Gen folks, and shares practical strategies to help you move from frustration to action.

What You'll Learn

• Why external pressure isn’t the solution and what really drives follow-through.
• How to build belief in yourself and your goals.
• The importance of finding a deeper, sustainable motivation beyond excitement.
• Practical steps to start taking consistent action today.

Get access to my free library: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/free-resources

Sign up for my book waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecruzcoaching/