5 Ways to Invest in Yourself Every Day

 

Each morning, we start our days with a full to-do list before our feet even touch the ground. The thing about to-do lists is they will never really be done. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything. And even though the list is long, investing in yourself probably isn’t the number one priority. Or the second. Third. Fourteenth. But the truth is if you don’t invest in yourself, you’re communicating to your mind, body, and soul that you aren’t as important as whatever else is filling your time. You’re not worth the time and therefore that’s not where you want to spend your time.

 

It’s a lie. Because you are so worth it. It’s the saying we’ve all heard over and over, especially as women: you have to fill your cup before you can fill others. Okay, okay it sounds nice but where exactly are you supposed to find the time for that? What’s more, is we’ve all seen the self-care tips that include face masks or find a creative outlet. While those are both important (and good for your skin!) it isn’t practical to expect yourself to be consistent in doing them.

But don’t worry girlfriend, I’ve curated a list of 5 ways to invest in yourself every day in a way that’s actually achievable.

 

One

Take 15 minutes to clean/pick up your space

I know what you’re thinking. Cleaning as self-care? Is this chick for real? But stay with me. There’s a reason the saying “outer calm, inner peace” is said so often. If your space feels clean and uncluttered it can be your safe space. For me, my apartment always represents how I’m feeling and vice versa. I find that I am so much more productive when my apartment is clean because I can move forward within the space rather than always starting at square one. The best benefit that comes with this hack is that you won’t have to spend a half or whole weekend day cleaning the apartment because you will have done it in pieces throughout the week. By the time the weekend rolls around, you can do laundry, water the plants, and run errands because you, my friend, have a clean house.

 

Two

Listen to a podcast

There are so many podcasts out there these days that you can find one on literally anything that interests you. You can let your mood or headspace decide which you tune into. If you need to hear advice from a girlfriend, get encouragement for being an entrepreneur, nerd out about Harry Potter, learn something new, there is a podcast out there.

So how is listening to a podcast investing in yourself? You get to pursue an interest or be a part of a community just by listening. Explore a topic you’re interested in, challenge your perspective, or know you’re not alone. The bonus of podcasts (or if audio books are your thing!) is you can do listen while doing your 15 minutes of picking up your space or walking the dog. I’ve had some great aha moments while shampooing my hair. Do what you gotta do.

 

Three

Allow yourself time to get ready

Wake up a few minutes early or start getting ready for bed a little bit sooner. Take that time to really take good care of your skin or to pick out an outfit for the next day you’ll feel great in. I’m not saying you need to take an hour to get ready but I am saying you should feel like one badass lady when you walk out the door in the morning and girl, that takes time. Allow yourself to have it.

 

Four

Sit in silence

When was the last time you spent 5-10 minutes in complete silence? Silence is uncomfortable for me. I’m trying to get better at it because what I’ve realized is that if I’m never in silence, it means I’m always in receiving mode. I’m absorbing and consuming. I think it can become a barrier or a security blanket. I constantly turn on the tv or music or podcasts and if I ever find myself in silence, I’m acutely aware. But in sitting in silence recently, I found that sitting in silence actually creates space. If I’m not consuming, I can produce. My own thoughts and emotions, unfueled by outside sources.

Meditating is so powerful and can be completely life changing but if that seems too daunting for you to empty your mind completely, start with sitting in silence for 5 minutes a day. Take your cup of coffee to your porch or stoop or whatever and just sit.

The way I’ve been able to incorporate this into my routines is to take 5 minutes of silence after finishing up my quiet time. I read my devotional and I sit with my journal open, pen at the ready, and I just wait. I listen. I see what comes to me and I pray.

However you do it, the important piece is to give yourself space.

 

Five

Rest

I’ll admit, I’m still working on this one myself. But I am constantly reminding myself and putting it into practice. The list will be there in the morning. Determine what has to happen in order for you to be able to relax. The kitchen needs to be cleaned up, you need to make your list for the next day, answer an e-mail, whatever. Do what is necessary and then rest. Focus on today and what it has to offer beyond the items on the list.

So rest can look like whatever you want it to. Read a book, watch a tv show, call a friend, do that self-care face mask!

Ways I incorporate that into my every day:

Read 10-20 minutes before bed

Watch a tv show while cooking dinner or eating dinner if you live alone

Light stretching with my aromatherapy diffuser

Play with Scout

Dance in my bedroom

I don’t do all of those things every day or even every week. Usually, only one of those things happens a day but I try to create at least one moment in time that I can do whatever I feel like in the moment. Rest doesn’t have to be immobile and peaceful but it can also be joyful and spontaneous.

 

 

Bonus

Be kind to yourself

 

I can go on for days on this topic but be kind to yourself. Invest in yourself with kindness. The thoughts you think about yourself, what you tell yourself is beyond powerful. You can’t get it all done in a day and you can’t always do it perfectly. That’s what makes you human and in turn, makes you beautiful! So if you aren’t saying it to yourself, I’ll say it:

 

You’re killing it.

 

You are so valuable to this world.

 

You’re enough & you’re doing enough.

 

Bottom Line

Invest in yourself

 

We invest SO much time in our homes, our families, our pets, our jobs, our hobbies, our causes, our churches and not nearly enough time in ourselves. You are so worth it. Like any investment, the more you put into it the more it grows and the more it improves. Let your actions communicate to yourself and to the world that you are worth investing in because you are.

 

Rooting for you always,

—

What about you?

What are you already doing to invest in yourself?

What are you going to start doing?

What are you going to do for yourself today?

Comment down below! I want to know your thoughts and if you have any self-care tips!

 

 

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