How To Actually Start Investing In Yourself And Taking Control Of Your Own Life
The following column is the opinion and analysis of the writer, Katharina Buczek.
Investing in yourself is one of the most crucial things you can do in life to ensure your personal and professional growth. While it may seem daunting at first or even make you feel guilty, taking the time and effort to focus on yourself will have long-lasting and positive effects on your mental health and overall life.
But, even though many people recognize the importance of self-investment, it can be really challenging to know where to get started. So, here are a few tips on how to take the leap and prioritize your well-being.
Start By Setting Goals
Setting goals can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead, start by considering what you want to achieve in the short term and long term.
Do you want to learn a new skill, change your career path, work on forging new friendships, or travel to a new place?
Write down whatever your goals may be and make them as specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) as possible. This will help you stay focused and motivated as you work towards your aspirations.
Then, once you have a concrete understanding of your goal parameters, you can start incorporating conscious efforts to work toward their achievement in your everyday life.
Let’s say you want to plan a trip to southern California– which will cost $2,000– and be able to afford it by this time next year.
Vasyl – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
Now that you are aware of the financial and time factors, you can start making budgetary changes– whether that be cutting down discretionary expenses or putting away $166 in a specific travel fund every month to afford the vacation in 12 months’ time.
Invest In Education And Skills
Education doesn’t have to be boring, tedious, or uninteresting. Plus, learning new things as an adult can feel even more fulfilling and rewarding since the pressure of degree completion or grades is no longer hanging over your head.
So, reflect on what you are really interested in– whether that be personal or work-related. Then, sign up to take courses, attend workshops, or pursue certifications in those realms.
Whether it’s photography, cooking, or coding, learning something new can be exciting and fun. On top of that, it can even make you more marketable in your career.
Prioritize Self-Care
As women, we are natural caretakers, which can make prioritizing self-care feel a bit selfish if you have other people depending on you.
But let’s dispel that myth right now– because self-care is fundamentally critical for our own well-being. After all, you cannot pour into anyone else’s “glass” if you are working with an empty cup.
So, make sure you’re physically taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating well. Don’t forget to take breaks– from work or any other responsibilities– when you need them, too.
These physical acts of self-care will also end up boosting your mental health. And thereafter, you can start showing yourself even more love by participating in activities you really enjoy.
Whether it’s reading a book, taking a walk, spending time with loved ones, or watching your favorite TV show, self-care can help you recharge, refocus, and reconnect with yourself.
Surround Yourself With Positivity
Life is too short to spend time with people who bring you down. And we have to stop feeling guilty about cutting people out of our lives simply because of our relationship’s length, history, or memories.
If you feel like a friend or family member is no longer serving your best interest, don’t be afraid to let them go. Toxicity has no place in your life.
At the same time, focus on cultivating relationships with people who uplift and motivate you.
Visit places you enjoy– like your favorite restaurant, the gym, an art studio, or a local park– and start looking for people who share your interests and values.
Find people who you can relate to, who have similar views on self-improvement and self-care, and who can support you on your journey.
Embrace New Experiences
Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be scary, but it’s a critical part of personal growth. And not only will you end up meeting new people, but you may even discover new parts of yourself– like interests or talents– that you never knew about before.
So, don’t be afraid to try new things, whether it’s traveling solo to a new place, taking up a new hobby, or setting your sights on a different career path.
You never know what you might discover about yourself or the world around you.
And, even if things don’t work out, you’ll have gained valuable experience, wisdom, and insights.
Practice Self-Reflection
Throughout all of these efforts, you should never forget to practice self-reflection. Remember to take the time to look inward, check in on yourself, and process how you feel about new experiences.
At the same time, you can use your self-reflection time to think about what you learned from an experience or situation and how those lessons can help you in the future.
To get started, ask yourself questions like “What worked?” and “What didn’t?” Then, push the envelope and ask the big question– “Why?”
Self-reflection equips you with the most powerful tool of all– self-awareness. And you can use self-awareness to continue growing and improving in all areas of your life, from relationships to careers.
Just remember that it is always okay to make mistakes, and you should never feel bad about them in the long run. After all, mistakes are just opportunities for us to continue learning and growing in the future.
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