Do you regularly take time out to focus on your needs and desires? Or do you (like many of us), Spend too much time catering to the needs and wishes of others?

If you answered ‘yes’ to that last question, it’s high time you stopped in your tracks and considered your life. Sure, you might have a family to look after, a partner to care for, and a multitude of other friends and family members to serve and support, but you matter too. It’s time to Invest in yourself NOW. If you’re not sure on where to start, check out my tips below!

1: Invest in yourself by bringing out your creative side.

Some of us love to paint, while others love to write. Some people get a lot of pleasure from creating pieces of music, while others love nothing more than sitting down with a piece of cloth and creating something to wear.

So, what about you? What are your creative passions? If you haven’t had the time to unleash your creative instincts recently, it’s time to fit something into your schedule. Find time at home to nurture your creative hobby, or join a class or hobby group near you, and share your creative side with others. It’s important to not let your creative side go to waste. 

2: Invest in yourself by doing something to boost your career.

Are you happy with your position at work? Or do you have a yearning for promotion or a career change? If you do want to make a move, then start doing something about it. Be it through professional qualifications such as this online leadership degree, or through launching a side hustle, do something that will give you the skills needed to move from where you are today.

Since we spend so much of our lives working, it’s important to be in a field you actually enjoy; finding personal fulfillment in your career is necessary for your happiness. If this applies to you, spend some time researching today by looking for those courses and activities that can give you the career boost you need.

3: Invest in yourself by focussing on your health.

Honestly, this should really be point number 1. As someone who’s health has suffered because I haven’t made it a priority, please listen to me- FOCUS ON YOUR HEALTH. If you don’t invest in your health, you are limiting the time to do anything else I mention on this list.

Today, think about your habits and your lifestyle. If you haven’t been taking care of yourself properly, ensure you schedule time to put things right. Look for opportunities in your week where you can exercise more, be that a simple walk or jog around the park, or by joining a leisure centre or a gym where you can take part in activities that suit you. Then consider healthy eating. To make better choices, you might want to take courses in nutrition, or, at the very least, spend time reading books or online articles on the subject.

You might also want to learn how to cook healthier recipes, as this will give you less incentive to eat processed foods and live on takeouts. And finally within this point, consider your worst habits.

Aside from a lack of exercise and unhealthy eating, you might also have other bad habits that are detrimental to your health, such as any associated with an addiction problem. If so, don’t delay in getting help, no matter how busy you are. See your doctor and follow the advice given to you. Your health matters, so focus on this important aspect of your life today.

4: Invest in yourself by writing and ticking off a bucket list.

A bucket list is a list of those things that you want to see, do, and achieve in your life. You might want to travel somewhere specific, for example. Or you might want to learn a new skill or find a new hobby. You might also want to see your favorite band in concert, or do something that pushes you out of your usual comfort zone, such as skydiving from a mountain or scuba-diving beneath the ocean.

There is an extensive list of bucket list ideas here, but remember that it is personal to you. You don’t have to do what other people have done. What is it you want to do? What will make you happy? What experience will make your life complete? To ensure you don’t live with any regrets, spend some time starting your bucket list today. Following this, look at your calendar and start making plans to tick off your bucket list items. After all, while it’s reasonably fun dreaming dreams and making a list of ideas, you will have more fun once you start achieving them.

5: Invest in yourself by reading a self-help book.

Many of us have given up on reading; partly thanks to regular Netflix binges and time spent on social media. It’s a shame, especially when certain books can actually help us improve our lives. For example, if you’re somebody who suffers from low self-confidence, you might want to read one of these books to help you start believing in yourself again.

If you have a fear of public speaking, you might want to look in your bookstore or on Amazon for help with this skill. And for any other facet of your life, if you know you have a weakness, find the relevant books to help you overcome them.

6: Invest in yourself by taking time out to relax.

Nowadays, taking the time to relax seems like a luxury, but believe me when I say it’s so important for you to do it! If you don’t take time out to relax, you might hit exhaustion and burnout, and that will be both detrimental to yourself and to the people around you.

Could you squeeze in more time at home to chill out, perhaps by taking a long soak in the bath, or as I suggested earlier, taking part in a hobby to distract you from the busyness of life? Check out these relaxing activity ideas too, and take part in any that are relevant to you. What can you do to relax? Schedule time in your day and week to take time out for you.

7: Invest in yourself and buy yourself something you would like to own.

Money can’t buy us happiness, but it can certainly elevate the way we feel sometimes. So, if you tend to spend Money on others more than yourself, consider spending some cash on yourself for a change. It might be on something as simple as a pair of shoes or a new outfit, or you might want to buy something for your home, whether it be that new candle you’ve been wanting or home updates to make your life easier.

Think about your tastes and wants in life. Sure, you might have to save up your money to get what you want – we don’t want you bankrupting yourself – but if something will make you happy, then add it to your personal shopping list this year. And then consider our next point.

8: Invest in yourself by spending money on a life-changing experience.

Consider spending money on experiences that, unlike a new pair of shoes, will last a lifetime. We have already alluded to some of these in this article. For example, you might want to spend money on a holiday abroad, a course of study, or a night at a concert. While these intangible things won’t last forever, they will give you memories and benefits that will last a lifetime. So, think then. What experiences will benefit your life? Jot them down or add them to your bucket list, and then start to save your money to afford you the privilege of achieving them.

Today, recognize your importance. While I’m not telling you to act selfishly and neglect others, I am asking you to think about your needs and desires. Your well-being and happiness matters as much as that of those you love and support, so consider our suggestions in this article, and make time to invest in your life today. You will create a brighter future for yourself if you do!