Picture your life as a garden. If you don’t tend to it or plant seeds that will eventually turn into flowers, your garden will stay dry and barren.
If you don’t water it with knowledge and love, you’ll never see the beauty and liveliness a healthy garden should be.
The very same goes for you – you need to invest in yourself if you want to bring out the potential within you. More so if you want to have a good future ahead.
So, in this article, I’m going to give you 18 beautiful ways to invest in yourself and live a fulfilling life! Let’s jump straight in…
1) Keep growing your skillset
One of the best ways you can invest in yourself is to continuously update your skillset.
Not only will this increase your future job prospects, but it keeps you interested and interesting!
These are two qualities that will serve you for the rest of your life.
And the added bonus?
Learning new skills also:
- Boosts confidence
- Improves brain function
- Increases concentration and focus
- Creates connections between different skill sets
- Improves self-esteem
So whether you want to brush up on your IT skills or learn how to deep dive in the ocean, never stop adding skills to your “life CV” as I like to call it.
Your future self will thank you for it!
2) Stay on top of your finances
Back in the day, finances were usually left to husbands or fathers to deal with.
Women being in control of their money wasn’t heavily promoted – thank goodness that’s changed now!
You can’t really invest in yourself without being financially conscious and aware.
Even if you’re independent, working, and living your best life, knowing how to:
- Budget
- Save
- Invest
- Avoid debt
Are all essential in improving your quality of life and ensuring that you set yourself up for the future.
Get online, and start researching the best ways to manage your money. It may seem like a lot to get your head around, but there are plenty of apps now that will help you through the process step by step.
3) Learn how to set boundaries
Boundaries…where do we start!
These are super important if you’re serious about investing in yourself. You see, there are two types of boundaries you need to have in place:
- Boundaries on yourself. Knowing what drains you, what disrupts the peace in your life, and what toxic behaviors to avoid.
- Boundaries on others. What behaviors are you willing to accept from other people? What limits shouldn’t be pushed?
Boundaries can be scary to put in place, especially when dealing with loved ones.
But without them, you run the risk of other people overstepping the mark and treating you in a way that harms your internal peace.
My suggestion is to first create a list of the boundaries important to you, then calmly and clearly communicate these boundaries to others when needed.
Those who respect you will get on board. Those who don’t….well, you know what to do with them!
4) Show your body love through exercise
Do you struggle to exercise?
I certainly do. But I realized that I had to change my perspective on it to actually enjoy moving my body.
Rather than see it as a chore that needs to be completed, I now see exercise as a way of showing love to my body.
Not only will exercise hopefully help me in the future, but it also allows me to release stress, clear my mind, and boost all those feel-good hormones!
Even if you just do 15 minutes of yoga a day or run a couple of times a week, you’ll very quickly start to see the difference in your body and mind.
5) Make time for your mental and emotional health
And while we’re on the subject of loving your body, it’s important to love your mind and emotions too!
This isn’t always easy though, I know.
But making time for your mental and emotional health NOW rather than later will save you a world of pain.
Because the longer you suppress your feelings or hide your anxieties, the worse they become.
When I felt the most lost in life, I was introduced to an unusual free breathwork video created by the shaman, Rudá Iandê, which focuses on dissolving stress and boosting inner peace.
My relationship was failing, I felt tense all the time. My self-esteem and confidence hit rock bottom. I’m sure you can relate – heartbreak does little to nourish the heart and soul.
I had nothing to lose, so I tried this free breathwork video, and the results were incredible.
But before we go any further, why am I telling you about this?
I’m a big believer in sharing – I want others to feel as empowered as I do. And, since it helped me invest in myself and my emotions, it could help you too!
Rudá hasn’t just created a bog-standard breathing exercise – he’s cleverly combined his many years of breathwork practice and shamanism to create this incredible flow – and it’s free to take part in.
If you feel a disconnect with your emotions and are struggling to invest in your life, I’d recommend checking out Rudá’s free breathwork video.
Click here to watch the video.
6) Do something you love every day
We live in a society that conditions us to work, work, work.
Most of us struggle to achieve a work/life balance – but it’s a key way to invest in yourself.
So, start small.
What makes you happy and allows you to switch off for an hour or so?
Is it curling up with a good book and a hot coffee? Is it getting out and walking in your local forest?
Maybe you have a hobby that you’d love to pick back up?
Whatever it is, just do it! Life is too short to wait until the weekends to have fun. Even if you just put aside 30 minutes or an hour a day to do something you love, it’ll be worth it.
You’ll find yourself able to focus better at work, your mental and emotional health will improve, and essentially, you’ll inject happiness into your day, every day!
7) Push yourself out of your comfort zone
You know that funny feeling you get in your tummy when something excites you but also scares the crap out of you?
Whenever this happens, learn to push through the fear!
The benefits of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and trying new things far outweigh the potential risks of “failing”.
You’ll learn what your strengths and weaknesses are. You’ll gain self-confidence. You may even discover a surprising passion.
So, whether it’s that solo trip you’ve been flirting with the idea of, or a side business you dream of starting, go for it!
You never know what could happen until you try…
8) Check your social media usage
Another important way to invest in yourself as a woman is to live in the moment.
Now, to do that, you MUST keep an eye on how much you’re on social media.
You know how it goes, five minutes of scrolling can easily turn into 20 minutes…one hour… the next thing you know you’ve wasted an entire evening watching cat videos online.
Another reason to check your social media usage is half the things you see online don’t reflect reality.
For women especially, it can be detrimental to our self-esteem to constantly see “perfect” women online, “perfect” lifestyles, and “perfect” relationships.
We can fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with a version of perfect which doesn’t actually exist!
So, invest in yourself by tearing your eyes off the screen and putting the focus back onto YOUR beautiful, imperfect (but very much real) life.
9) Create an invigorating pamper routine
There are two routines you need to invest in for yourself:
An energizing, rejuvenating morning routine, and a calming, peaceful night routine.
In the morning:
- Take an hour out for yourself. Use this time to eat and drink a healthy breakfast, read, stretch your body, listen to music, and do whatever wakens your mind, soul and body.
- Take a shower, put on your favorite clothes, use a good moisturizer and leave the house looking and feeling your best. This will set you up for the rest of the day!
And in the evening?
- An hour before bed, switch off your phone/laptop/tablet. Play calming music. Drink camomile tea to unwind.
- Use a good nighttime moisturizer, spritz a little lavender on your pillow and do some light reading or journaling. Before you sleep, practice gratitude by focusing on all the positives in your day and life in general.
Once you’ve got into the habit of a good morning and night routine, you’ll wish you’d started it sooner!
Remember – by giving yourself an hour in the morning and an hour at night, you’re not only investing in your appearance and wellbeing, but you’re putting yourself back in control of your day.
10) Read to cleanse your soul and activate your imagination
As a former primary school teacher, I was always told the importance of reading for young children. It calms them down and at the same time, activates their imaginations.
It also improves their vocabulary, writing skills, and comprehension.
But here’s the catch:
These benefits don’t stop at childhood!
As adults, we reap the same benefits by reading. So, whether it’s an educational book on self-development or a novel set in outer space about alien romance, get your reading goggles on!
The cherry on top of the cake is that reading is also a great stress reliever – it can lower blood pressure and reduce mental fatigue by giving your brain a break from your reality.
11) Nurture healthy relationships with good people
Here’s the thing, you can’t really invest in yourself without investing in good people around you.
If you’re on a mission to improve your life but everyone around you is toxic or untrustworthy, you’ll be fighting an uphill battle.
Think about your friendships; who brings love and peace into your life? Who encourages you to be the best version of yourself?
Those are the people you need to focus your time and emotions on.
It takes a village to raise a kid, but I say it takes a community to support an adult, especially one who is trying to invest in themselves for a better life.
12) Learn to love your own company
The sad truth of life is that you really can rely on no one but yourself.
So, the quicker you get used to your own company, the better!
I know it might sound daunting, so take it slow.
Start with a walk outside by yourself. Work your way up to going to dinner alone, or to seeing a movie at the cinema.
Before you know it, you’ll realize how much you’ve got to offer yourself.
This is immensely important, as you’ll also stop wasting your time on people who aren’t good for you just because you can’t bear the thought of being alone!
13) Try new experiences as often as possible
We spoke earlier about the importance of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. This is very much related.
Trying new experiences is a great way to invest in yourself. It could be something like learning a new language or trying a new sport.
Maybe you fancy joining a book club or an arts and crafts workshop.
New experiences open up our minds and they allow us to explore potential new passions.
But more than that – they add to our “skill-set” and could help us make new friends along the way!
14) Start a side hustle in an area you’re passionate about
Now, this is one way to set yourself up for the future – a side hustle.
Picture this – you’re stuck in the office, dreaming of working in an area you love.
You can’t quit your 9-5 because of, well, bills and rent.
But you can invest your evenings and weekends into a project you’re passionate about. A friend of mine working in finances started her own brownie baking business as a side hustle.
Mainly because she just loves to bake…and eat brownies!
Two years later, she quit her job and started baking full-time. She couldn’t be happier.
And even if you don’t want to quit your current job, having a little extra money to save or invest every month is never a bad thing!
It’s all about finding what you’re passionate about it and going for it, using tried and tested methods guaranteed to help you achieve success.
I learned about this from Life Journal, created by the highly-successful life coach and teacher Jeanette Brown.
You see, willpower only takes us so far when setting up a side business…the key to transforming your life into something you’re passionate and enthusiastic about takes perseverance, a shift in mindset, and effective goal setting.
And while this might sound like a mighty task to undertake, thanks to Jeanette’s guidance, it’s been easier to do than I could have ever imagined.
Click here to learn more about Life Journal.
It could be the boost you need to set up your side hustle and start working in an area you love!
15) Invest in therapy or counseling
And finally, if you’re serious about investing in yourself, get yourself a good therapist or counselor.
All of us, no matter how happy our childhoods were, have issues to deal with.
Some we can work through on our own or with the support of family and friends, but other issues are too large to unpick ourselves.
That’s where the help of a professional comes in. They can give you the tools you need to work through any traumas or issues holding you back in life.
What better way to invest in yourself?
16) Cultivate a strong and positive mindset
The power of your mind can truly not be underestimated. Everything you do or achieve in life begins with your mindset. It affects how you perceive yourself, your abilities, and the world around you. As such, investing in the cultivation of a strong and positive mindset is crucial for self-improvement.
Positive affirmations, visualization exercises, and mindfulness techniques are some ways you can strengthen your mindset. These practices can boost your self-confidence, reduce stress, enhance your mood, and encourage optimism.
And remember, your mindset doesn’t only impact you; it also influences the people around you. So, strive to make it as positive and empowering as possible. In the end, your journey to becoming the best version of yourself will be smoother and more enjoyable!
17) Embrace lifelong learning
Continual learning is the key to personal and professional development. It is essential to broaden your horizons, stay relevant in a fast-paced world, and nurture your curiosity.
Lifelong learning can take many forms. From reading books, attending webinars, enrolling in online courses, to traveling and exploring different cultures. It also involves being open-minded and willing to challenge your existing beliefs and perceptions.
Embracing lifelong learning can bring you immense joy, fulfillment, and a sense of accomplishment. Plus, it adds to your skillset and makes you a more rounded individual.
The world is a vast place filled with knowledge. So, seize every opportunity to learn something new and enrich your life!
18) Practice self-compassion
We often are our own harshest critics. It’s easy to fall into the trap of setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves, and then berating ourselves when we fall short. This is neither healthy nor productive.
Instead, it’s essential to practice self-compassion. This involves treating yourself with the same kindness, understanding, and forgiveness you would extend to a friend.
Remember, nobody is perfect, and we all make mistakes. When things go wrong, resist the urge to engage in negative self-talk. Instead, comfort yourself, acknowledge your feelings, and remind yourself that it’s okay not to be okay sometimes.
Practicing self-compassion can increase your resilience, self-esteem, and overall mental health. It’s an investment in your wellbeing that will pay dividends in all areas of your life.
Final thoughts
There we have it, 18 beautiful ways to invest in yourself as a woman.
Now, I get it, the intention to invest in yourself might be there, but you’ll probably find the commitment to do it comes and goes.
This is natural – I feel the same way very often too.
So, a way to keep your eye on the ball?
Think about your future self.
This is what helps me whenever I lack motivation. I picture the woman I want to be in 5, 10, or 20 years’ time.
Will she look back and be proud of the effort I made during my 20s and 30s? Will she be glad that I put in the hard work and invested in myself?
I hope so, and I hope the same for your future self too!
