Your First Big Investment is Always Yourself

It took me a long time to come to terms with investing anything back into myself. It's really rewarding to give when you have to those who need. That, usually slips into have nothing left by the end of the day for you. People who are used to receiving will always leave room to receive. Give that gift to yourself first and foremost. Let the first person you receive from be yourself.

Any gift that another person can give you, you owe yourself. The return on investment will always be the power to be more at peace. Being able to cultivate my vision to fluctuating circumstances has done wonders for the quality of my days. These are the best kind of investments because like any other, they compound over time.

Become a powerhouse in your own right. This is the real magic formula to doing and being whoever you want in this life. There's this really empowering sense of calm that's washed over me since gradually increasing the ways I invest in myself.

Investing Time

There's a lot of time spent making sure our world around us is comfortable. Sometimes to the point of our own default. When we turn to start investing more time in ourselves, it feels like stealing. As if there's better things to do. Unlearning this feeling is going to be a process all on its own. We don't thrive off of invested money alone. Invest in time away from screens and see what comes to you.

I've been so proud of my screen time these days. At first, the diversion from the usual can bring feelings of being frazzled or even uneasy. Taking this step is the first thing I needed to do to really give myself a bit of time back.

Becoming a Morning Person

Steal back your mornings. This has the added benefit of regaining your sleep. More often than not, I had a tendency of staying up late as a way to cope with feeling like I didn't have enough time. Not enough time to do what I actually wanted to do, so I'd do it at night. Night would come and I wouldn't. I would do random things, giving in to auto pilot. The first gift that will come is the gift of boredom. Let your mind wander where it will because doing just that has bought me great ideas and more peace.

Why Quality Time with Yourself is Important

You have to train your brain to value time with yourself. Time is a nonrenewable resource. Take it seriously and make sure you save some for yourself. You need to have enough time to recharge and fill your own cup. That way, you could be better for yourself and the people you care about. Be stingy with your time. I noticed the more time I spent indulging in the peace of the moment. The better the quality of time I spend with others.

Investing Money

Aside from your savings. Aside from your 401K. Aside from common money wellness. Invest your discretionary income on your joy. Starbucks counts as joy. So does dabbling into a new hobby. Brainstorm things you've been wanting to do and put a little aside towards it whenever you can.

Invest in Your Interests

Invest into courses on subjects that interest you. Invest in your own beauty, and treating yourself to experiences. Yes, this includes going for that experience even if it means going to do it by yourself. It sounds scary to go out into the world and be perceived on your own. With a little adjustment, it's a perfect investment of your money. Nobody says you have to be out long either.

Investing in Experiences

Investing in yourself does't always mean going all out every time. I love going out to window shop at Marshalls, and taking a Starbucks drink with me. Luxurious is not mutually exclusive with expensive. I love putting money aside for new stationery or different color embroidery thread. I know you'll feel like you need to justify spending on yourself. I promise you that these little purchases can be more creative. Listening to my inner child a bit has gone a long ways in helping me feel more intentional with my purchasing decisions.

Investing Sacrifice

Taking care of yourself is a challenge. Flipping internal scripts take time, effort and sacrifice. I still feel my chest tighten when I hesitate to press send on a newsletter or reaching out to a friend to hang out. Do your best to invest in sacrifice. There is no shame in being wrong, or awkward. Things are worth it because they are a challenge. Make room to invest in those sacrifices. The more comfortable we become with embracing the challenge. The nuanced sacrifices we've put up with for the sake of fitting someone else's vision of ourselves come forth.

How to Say No to Others

It could be saying no, to that person you always cave to. It's going to bed early even when you're not tired and laying in the dark and quiet. Getting up earlier because that hour let's you be without any expectation from the world. Consistently bringing forth a new perspective keeps the mind pliable. Which let's you not be so quick to react. I'm guilty of getting ahead of myself mid conversation purely based on not wanting to miss my chance to contribute.

Embrace the Challenge in Sacrifice

There's joy in challenging yourself to invest in sacrifice. Sacrifice clears energy for what it is means most to you. There's a lot of quiet involved with sacrifice. Especially when you find yourself challenging your own ego. For the longest time, I could not resist the urge to feel wounded. To find something that upset me and I painted myself the victim. During sacrifice you find a new grace. Challenging yourself this way makes a sacred and personal space to learn. To learn safely, without fear of harsh judgement from outside yourself.

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