Introduction
If you’re looking to improve your life and dive into the world of personal growth, investing in yourself is a wonderful way to get started.
There are a multitude of ways to invest in yourself – from buying physical products to investing in support, or perhaps in the form of an app. It will vary from person to person, and may also differ depending on the season you’re in.
This post will cover the best ways to invest in yourself this year, so that you can grow and evolve into the person you desire to become!
Why Invest in Yourself
There are different reasons we might want to invest in ourselves, but usually it’s because we want to improve our lives.
Much like investing in money, when we invest in ourselves, we expect to get a return. Ideally, when we make a major investment in ourselves, something will noticeably improve.
For example, if I were to invest in a professional course, I would hope to get the promotion I desire.
You can start to think about which areas in your life you’d like to see improvements. Where could you invest in yourself to see a return?
What Is Required
There are a few commonalities between the different investments on this list. Usually, investments will require:
TIME
It will require time to make the most of your investments. There’s no magic wand that will transform everything overnight, but rather it’s up to us to make time and space to properly implement and execute.
Will you choose to make your investments a priority in your calendar?
MONEY
This is not always the case, but many things might require a monetary investment upfront. You can choose how much money you want to spend on yourself, but remember you can also choose how much value you will get out of any investment.
It’s up to you to make every penny worth it.
WILLINGNESS
Another important component is your willingness to change. It’s easy to invest in a gym membership for example, but if you’re not willing to work out, there is no point! When choosing investments, ask yourself if you’re willing to actually change that part of your life.
COMMITMENT
While willingness is one part of getting started, the other is how committed you actually are. You can spend money investing in things but not actually make that return on investment.
For example, if you aren’t committed to completing the challenge you signed up for, the hard work you put in might not create the results you desire.
The Best Ways to Invest in Yourself
If you’re interested in putting in the time, money, willingness, and commitment to improving your life, then here are my recommendations for the best ways to invest in yourself!
Remember, you can pick and choose which options make the most sense for you based on what you need. This can change and adapt over time. Keep your end goal in mind for what you want to improve in your life, and start from there. It’s also okay to start slow, and start with one!
Mental Health
Especially after living through a pandemic, investing in our mental health becomes even more important. If you want to be more mindful, better manage your thoughts and emotions, and take care of your mental health, here are my suggestions.
Start Journaling
Having a journaling practice can help you work through your thoughts, feelings, challenges, and dreams. You can track your growth and progress, and let out things that you might not want to share with anyone else.
A journaling practice is also very flexible. You get to choose when and how you write, plus there are tons of resources to get you going!
Meet with a Therapist
Choosing to meet with a therapist is one of the best ways to get support for your mental health. You can talk through your emotions and experiences and learn techniques to heal yourself over time. Therapists can provide guidance and be one of the best investments for your mental health.
Sign up for a Meditation App
Meditation is an excellent mindfulness practice. You can find both free and paid options that can guide you to become a masterful meditator!
Go on a Vacation
If you’re in a rut and need to reset your life, perhaps it’s time to take a break. Whether it’s traveling somewhere, or even if it’s a staycation, a vacation can be such a fruitful investment into yourself and your mental health.
Take a Sabbatical
So many of us suffered from burnout, especially through the pandemic. If it is available to you, take a break from work, and go on a sabbatical.
This is simply a dedicated period of time off where you can focus on your personal growth and development without worrying about work. I’ve done this recently and highly suggest it for healing yourself from burnout and stress.
Physical Health
Oftentimes we can put our physical health on the back-burner, especially after challenging experiences such as a pandemic. If you want to invest in your physical health and get into tip-top shape again, here is what I recommend.
Order all the Checkups
When was the last time you got a full-body checkup? If you can’t remember, it’s probably time to schedule the necessary appointments to ensure that your body is at optimal health.
Get the Right Supplements
Sometimes we don’t even realize we’re missing supplements. It’s important to get checked and better understand what might be missing from our diets.
Meet a Nutritionist
Are you eating the best possible diet for your health? Do you have a healthy relationship with food? After yo-yo dieting and having a negative body image, I’ve been personally working with a nutritionist to improve my relationship with food and my body.
Sign up for a Gym Membership
One of the classic ways to invest in your physical health is by signing up for a gym! Whether it’s classes, or a specialty gym, or just getting access to a regular gym, find which option speaks to you most!
Purchase Exercise Equipment
If you prefer to work out at home, investing in exercise equipment can be a good way to get your fitness in.
Get a Health App
If you need a little support and coaching to get you motivated, consider an app like Myfitnesspal or Noom. Apps can help you stay on track and visualize your growth. Personally, Myfitnesspal has helped me lose 30 lbs (13.5 kilos)!
Intellectual
There are so many things to learn and experience in the world, we should allow ourselves the time and space to invest in them! As a life-long learner, I personally love investing in my intellectual life. Here are some of my suggestions for how to invest in your intellectual life.
Sign up for a Course
There are millions of courses out there, whether in person at a local community centre, or local school, or through an online course platform. You can learn languages, life skills, professional skills, hobbies, and more!
You’ll find a course for everything these days. Personally, I have recently signed up for in-person Spanish classes, a mindset class, a Pinterest course for my business, and a personal style masterclass! Think of what you’ve been wanting to learn and sign up!
Get a Certification
If you want to get serious about your learning, why not get a certification! Usually, you can upgrade online courses to get a certification, or perhaps you need to seek out the certifications you desire.
Either way, there are tons of options available to level up your learning experience! You’ll also build your credibility and can add them to your resume and portfolio! Last year, I got certified as an NLP coach and am officially certified by ICF as a coach!
Hire a Mentor or Coach
Hiring a coach may be an investment you have yet to explore, but it can make a huge difference for your personal or professional growth. You can find a coach or mentor for almost any area of your life – career, life, health, business, mindset, and more!
Acting as a guide and sounding board, you can develop in the area you choose to focus on. If you take their advice to heart and focus on implementing, you’ll see transformative changes by the time you’re done working with them!
I’ve personally worked with multiple business coaches, and they’ve all helped me make massive moves in my own entrepreneurial endeavours!
Join a Membership
Similar to a coaching experience, there are also memberships you can join. These are also founded in transformation, and you can choose the type you’re interested in. I’ve seen people join memberships for personal development, and I’ve personally joined one for growing a business from scratch!
What’s notable about these is that it’s a lower price point versus courses or coaching, plus you get access to a community! I highly recommend checking out a membership!
Purchase or Borrow Books
Looking for an easy and simple way to level up your intellect? Simply buy a book, or even borrow one from the library. I’m an avid reader, and you can gain a wealth of knowledge in any subject area by merely picking up a few good books!
Plus, it’s one of the most cost-friendly options on this list! You can also find great app options like Audible or Scribd (my personal favourite!)
Self-Care & Love
Investing in self-care and self-love is something you’ll rarely regret. Taking care of yourself helps you feel good – and isn’t that what matters? There are many ways to invest in self-care and it will vary per person, but let me share my favourite examples below.
Go on a Solo trip
I read Eat, Pray, Love in 2017 and it inspired me to go on my own solo trip across South East Asia. Terrified, I hopped on a plane with a carry-on bag and visited multiple cities over 4 months.
It was transformational and the best way to experience true self-love. When you have to rely on only yourself, especially in a new country, you also learn endless things and appreciate time with yourself!
Purchase new Wardrobe Pieces
Look good, feel good! Sometimes picking up new wardrobe pieces you adore can be a game-changer! Get new trendy pieces, or that item you’ve always wanted, and make sure you actually wear them instead of locking them up in your closet for a special occasion. YOU are the special occasion!
Buy new Makeup
Isn’t it true that fresh lipstick can lift your spirits? Personally, I love picking up some new makeup and playing around with my look. If you don’t wear makeup, why not give it a try and see how you feel?
Get your Hair done
My mom always said that your hair is your crowning glory. Taking care of our hair and changing up the style can make a difference in not just how we look, but also how we carry ourselves! So try the curtain bangs, or the beautiful balayage, or maybe snip it short! Invest in a new style that you’ve always wanted!
The Key to Investing in Yourself
With all these amazing ways to invest in yourself, I would like to share some of my personal learnings after trying most if not all of them myself.
- You get to choose what the return on every investment is. It’s important to actually use the investment as intended, or else it may simply be a waste of money. Complete the course. Use what you learn in the book. Make the most of the solo trip. Wear your fabulous clothes and don’t leave them hanging in the closet for later.
- If it helps, make it a reward to invest in yourself. After I hit a goal of losing 10 pounds, I’ll treat myself to a new pair of jeans for my wardrobe.
- Don’t just do or buy ALL the things. These can take up financial resources and you don’t want to deplete your savings. Plan accordingly and create a monthly budget. What is needed most in your life right now?
- Feeling extremely unhealthy? Focus on that first.
- Feeling down? Get your mental health in check.
- What’s amazing is that one can lead to another. Personally, I healed my physical health, and it transformed my mental health. Which ultimately led to more self-love and eagerness to learn again. Everything is connected. Just start.
Conclusion
If there’s one message I can leave with you, it’s to take care of yourself. We all get one life, why not live it to its fullest? Why not reach our fullest potential in all the different areas of our life? You absolutely deserve it.
So choose the investments that will make a difference in your life. If you eagerly and intentionally incorporate them into your life, you will make a return on that investment.
You will gradually improve your life and be grateful that you chose yourself!
How will you invest in yourself this year?
Leave a comment below!
