As women, we're constantly figuring out how to juggle our priorities. But if you had to make a list of the most important things in your life, what would they be? We put that very question to the iVillage boards — and just to make it really challenging, we asked women to see if they could actually rank their top priorities, from most important to least. The results of our highly unscientific poll:
Family — unsurprisingly — tops the list of most women's priorities, and the majority of women who responded to our question consider their husbands and children equally important. "I can't put one above the other," says one iVillager.
Children. Among the iVillagers who weighed in, most of those who decided to rank their children and their spouses as separate priorities said their kids came first. "My son's health and happiness will always be my number one priority."
A strong marriage. Some iVillagers who ranked their kids and their husbands separately said their husbands came first. "At the end of the day, I believe that my children will be happier if they have parents who are happy together in a stable relationship."
Health. A surprising number of iVillagers we asked consider this their absolute top priority. "I think the number one most important thing is your health. Without your health, you have nothing."
Happiness, self-esteem and personal development. Luckily for them (and for everyone else in their lives) most iVillagers are able to say they rank pretty high on their own lists of priorities... that is, "if nothing else comes up!" As one iVillager put it: "I am absolutely first on my list. As they say during those airplane safety demonstrations, you have to put your own oxygen mask on first! I believe that if I keep myself sane and happy then I am a better mom, friend and family member."
Extended family. "If I had a choice between doing something I really wanted to do (like going on a three-week tour of Italy) and standing by my mother's side when she goes through something really rough, I'd choose my mother every time."
Friends. "My family and friends aren't far apart on my ranking. In fact many of my friends have become my family."
Success in a career and happiness at work ranked just below friends and family for many iVillagers who responded to our question. "In reality, I tend to make sure my work duties are taken care of before everything else," one hard-working iVillager said. "There are lots of social pressures that influence what we think should be priorities in our lives. And there is a lot of judgment out there."
Faith, God and spirituality rank very highly for many of the iVillagers who weighed in. "This sounds hokey, but I find when I'm living in partnership with God, the rest of my life seems to fall in order so much easier."
A happy, orderly, totally functional home is a big deal for many of the iVillagers who responded to our question. "My home doesn't have to be big or fancy, but it has to be cozy and warm. I'm a homebody, and my home is my sacred place, my shrine and the place I can lay back and enjoy. So it has to feel welcoming."
Join the conversation!
What matters most to you? Rank your top priorities, and see how other women have juggled their lists.