5 Ways To Invest In Yourself In 2022
To say this year has been wild is an understatement. Nothing could have prepared any of us for what 2020 was going to bring. I look back on a lot of the plans I had for this year and it's hard not to feel a little disappointed. Knowing how this year turned out, it also feels a lot harder to be optimistic about setting goals for 2021. But it wasn't all bad and looking back, I'm sure everyone can agree that spending all this time with ourselves has brought about a lot of clarity. More people are waking up to who they truly want to be and how they want to live their lives. I've seen people all around me, finally taking their dreams seriously and pursuing those 'million-dollar ideas'! It's been truly inspiring and is honestly what motivated me to even start this blog! One thing I truly believe, is that regardless of what 2021 is going to bring, we can never go wrong by investing in ourselves. So if you want some inspiration on how to continue your level up journey next year, check out my top five ways you can invest in yourself in 2021.
1. Invest In Your Home
Okay so this first one might not have been so important before 2020 but now more than ever, your home is your sanctuary. We're inevitably going to be spending a lot more time indoors so ensuring you're comfortable is essential. For me that means investing in things that enhance my environment from candles to better quality bedding; anything that makes me feel good in my space.
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It also means purchasing new cookware and finally replacing that missing light bulb! If you've previously been too busy to maintain your living space, there's no better time to focus your efforts on creating a home you don't mind spending extensive time in.
2. Invest In Your Side Hustle
As I mentioned before, now is the time to take your dreams seriously. Up until now it's been pretty easy to just assume everything will continue as it always has been. However if this year has taught us anything, it's that your life can change in an instant. Things aren't set in stone; we don't have to stay in jobs we hate or continue to tolerate people who consistently cross our boundaries - we have options.
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Use this 'new normal' as a sign to take a leap of faith and start that project you've been dreaming about. Invest in learning new skills that will put you in a better position to grow that business, blog or platform. This could also mean hiring a mentor to guide you through your growth journey!
3. Invest In Your Self-Development
If you're planning on levelling up in 2021, investing in your self-development is pretty much a non-negotiable. Having the right mindset and attitude towards your growth is the only real way to ensure your success, especially with how uncertain the current times are. When those inevitable setbacks come around, it's your self-development practice that will keep you motivated to continue on your path and push through to the end. Challenge yourself to read more books and consume content that feeds your mind rather than just numbing your boredom with temporary entertainment.
4. Invest In Your Health
If you found yourself surrounded by piles of takeaway boxes during quarantine, watching everyone else working out on Instagram Live, 2021 is the perfect time to make a change. I'm sure I'm not the only one who felt their health deteriorating from the lack of movement (and sunlight) this year, as well as general health anxiety due to the pandemic. That's why it's more important than ever to invest in the upkeep of your health. Especially with access to regular GP check-ups being limited; now more than ever we're having to take our health into our own hands. Take some time to research supplements and vitamins you should take and swap out the takeaways from some more home cooking. With gyms opening and closing every other month, now might also be the perfect time to invest in some home gym equipment!
5. Invest In Your Financial Freedom
Finally, in this next year it is essential to get your finances in order. While we all know how frustrating it is that financial education isn't taught in schools, that doesn't mean the information isn't out there! We have a lot more time to properly understand our finances and learn how to grow our income. Learn how to automate your payments to cover your basic costs as well as your monthly savings to keep yourself on track. Avoid frugality fatigue by budgeting not only for expenses but for your lifestyle essentials as well! If you're like me and you have to get your nails done every month or eat out at least once, add that to your budget! Living below your means doesn't have to mean restricting every aspect of your life. Progress at the speed of balance.
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