Invest In Yourself

There are so many things out of our control and this year has really emphasised that. However, there are some things we as individuals do have control over. How we see ourselves, take care of ourselves, what we do, where we go and how we respond to external things. I told God yesterday these are the things I’m going to focus more on … next year. Something happened hours after and I was so upset but I reflected and took it as God saying “Tanesha, baby girl, not next year but now! Now is the time to focus on these things, invest in yourself and leave the rest to me.”

It can be said, and it most certainly has been said, that life can be broken into 7 main areas that when invested in properly create the wheel of “holistic wellness”.

Now back to the 7 main areas of life – these are:

1. Physical
2. Emotional
3. Intellectual
4. Financial
5. Environmental
6. Spiritual
7. Social

Even though I listed it in that order, I am going to address the areas which are really pressing in my life right now. Then the others will proceed.  

Social

This element of holistic wellness means cultivating healthy relationships. Having people you can depend on for different things. Having a network that provides love, empathy, support both physical and emotional. Furthermore, this means providing those things for others too, making sure there is balance.

This is most important to me because this year I’ve come to realise I focus too much on who and what I don’t have. I know I support those around me but doing even more to invest and give back to those that show me love. Also when I am shown love and support, learning how to receive it instead of deflecting and shying away.  I know I need to begin to have open and honest conversations about my feelings and standards instead of trying to accommodate everybody else and dismiss my needs. I need to learn to be comfortable with asking for and accepting help and learning to receive compliments.

This may also look like:

• Showing people you love them by understanding and showing them love according to their love languages  
• Creating environments for friends and family to talk comfortably

Spiritual

The spiritual aspect of life focuses on one’s values and beliefs. What do you hold to high regard? Where is most of your energy directed to? What do you find peace and joy in? What more can you do for the world at large?

This is important for me as sometimes I stray from what I value, or I allow my judgement to be clouded. I can lose sense of my values and beliefs depending on emotions, but I need to develop a stronger sense of character. As Christian this means grounding myself in the values God wants me to uphold. Placing my identity in God's hands. I’ve decided to go back to writing my prayers as it allows me to be more vulnerable and open with God. I've already begun to try and listen to a sermon everyday week day morning as I get ready for work.

This may also look like:

• Giving back to the community/Other charitable endeavours
• Religious practices e.g. Prayer, listening to teachings
• Self-reflection and analysis
• Identifying one’s own values and working on implementing these into everything you do

Emotional

The emotional elements includes learning to find healthy coping mechanisms, detecting your triggers, managing stress levels and learning to be honest with yourself. Practicing mindfulness and talking about how you’re feeling.

I know for me I need to give myself spaces where I allow myself to feel. Spaces where I don’t judge or hate myself for feeling the way I do. This includes emotions that are deemed positive. Not being fearful when I feel happiness or excitement. Not allowing any emotion to cloud my judgement or using it as a basis to dictate my actions. I also plan to spend more time with myself and make it enjoyable. I can already envision dates with myself; the candles, the food, buying myself flowers. It may sound sad to you, but it actually excites me.

There is no “this may look like” because that is what it is!

Now onto the rest …

Financial

Financial wellness is dealing with your finances wisely. Learning to budget and save. I know many have even got into the investing and trading sides of things as of recent.

This may look like:

• Saving towards goals
• Saving for emergencies
• Having a written down budget plan
• Staying on top of direct debits

When it comes to financial wellness it is important to keep in mind that you can’t take money to your grave with you so be smart with your money but also engage in experiences: have fun!

Intellectual

In life it is vital to understand that growth is necessary. That also includes expansion of knowledge. Allowing yourself to be open to learning new things, reading, engaging in intellectual discussion and learning to analyse things critically.

This may look like:

• Starting a course and being consistent
• Indulging in more reading or listening to audio books
• Watching informative videos such as TED talks
• Replacing idle Netflix and YouTube video sessions with things of substance

Physical

Physical wellness focuses on nutrition, exercise, good hygiene practices, healthy amounts of sleep, having a clean appearance and maybe even indulging in a little self-pampering.

This may look like:

• Keeping a food journal
• Meal prep/ planning before food shops
• Exercise, walks, physical activity e.g. dancing
• Set bedtimes

Environmental

Environmental wellness is in regards to your personal surroundings such as your bedroom but also the environment at large.

This may look like:

• Keeping your bedroom clean
• Keeping your home clean
• Throwing away things you no longer use/need
• Practicing ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’
• Picking up litter in your community

It is important to note that holistic wellness doesn’t mean that everything around you is going to be absolutely fantastic, doesn’t even mean your life will be perfect, but it does mean that once you begin to invest in these things, you become a vessel more able and equipped to navigate through life. If you get knocked down, you are able to bounce back up. Balance in life is necessary. We can’t take it too seriously, we can’t let life pass us by but we do need to be grounded.

Investing in yourself takes discipline and risk. I already took some risks towards my goals this 2020 and 2021 is only onwards and upwards. 

Now it's time for you to pick up your journal (or invest in one), your notepad, a piece of paper, that notes app in your phone and begin to jot down and mind map how you will invest in yourself!