“Do something today that your future self will thank you for” goes the saying, and it’s not a bad one to live by.
It’s a fine balance weighing up what present you wants against what future you might benefit from, but it can make all the difference to living a more fulfilled life.
From smart money moves to raising self-awareness, Red contributor Anya Meyerowitz shares how she takes care of her present self to reap the rewards in her future.
1. Damage-controlling future emotions
I’m very open to exploring my emotions and a big advocate of therapy – I’ve always gone after a break-up or when I was feeling low. But when you’re happy and feeling fine? I’ve never done that before. Now, with more time, I’ve started having therapy again because I know it will stand me in good stead for the future. By dealing with some of my thought patterns, processes and beliefs now, I'll have the tools and mechanisms to deal with anything that crops up later.
2. Being mindful of burnout
After a previous awful bout of anxiety, I took an eight-week mindfulness course – but when I started feeling better, the good habits slowly went out the window. When my anxiety came back, I’d forgotten all the tools that I’d learned to help manage it. Now, I make sure I monitor myself so that it doesn’t build up again. I avoid too much high intensity exercise – I balance it with more mindful activities like yoga and Pilates – and resist the temptation to go, go, go. And that’s one way I can protect future me.
3. Upping my financial IQ
A few years ago I took a big step and invested in a financial adviser. Up until then, I had my head in the sand about money – I never checked my accounts, I didn’t know what tax I should be paying as a freelancer, I’d never had a credit check and I generally felt overwhelmed by it all. But my adviser is absolutely brilliant – I can ask silly or difficult questions and no longer have to stress about trying to work it all out on my own. It’s the best money I’ve ever spent on myself.
4. Looking ahead with investments
Now, with less worry over my finances, I take real joy from working out how much I can transfer into my savings account each month. My partner and I are even looking at investments as it feels like the right time for us.
When I was younger, my grandma used to gift me money into a Junior ISA that my parents set up, and once that investment matured I moved it into a Lifetime ISA, which means I can continue to invest money to put towards my future financial goals.
Red top tip: If your children are under the age of 18, you can start them off by setting up a Junior Stocks and Shares ISA* for them. Get them interested with shares in a company that interests them – with online investment firm The Share Centre you can put as little as £10 a month into shares that appeal to you.
5. Setting time aside to upskill
I invest in my career by doing one or two workshops or courses each month, which I find really useful. I like to stay aware of what’s going on in my industry and focus on what I’m enjoying in my career. Rather than having a too-stringent plan, which can leave you feeling disappointed, I make sure I stay connected with people, nurture relationships and either let things fall into place or decide to actively pursue a particular goal.
6. Committing to positive daily habits
I never used to take lunch and always worked late, but my one-hour lunch break is now non-negotiable. I try to use that time for some sort of movement rather than just sitting at my laptop. I journal in the mornings three times a week and I’ve also started buying flowers for my home, which makes a big difference to my mood. In the evenings, my partner and I have started playing word association or card games, rather than just putting on a TV series and this has spurred creative conversations and thinking.
Invest in a brighter future for yourself and your family with The Share Centre – visit share.com
* Capital at risk and ISA rules apply
