HealthyBea

Investing in Yourself

Stemming back to my time living in NYC, I established a habit of spending minimal time and money on myself. Between days there and now in London, I could probably count on my fingers the amount of splurges I have awarded myself. 

The specialty workout classes I occasionally tried were gifts or discounted trials, manicures were typically reserved for special occasions, and physical pampering (skin care, massages, etc.)? Out of the question. I am embarrassed to admit that my sisters had to encourage me to add a measly avocado to my weekly grocery list. My sweet father once sent me $10 specifically for berries, fruit which to this day are still reserved for weekend treats! Outside of 1-2 meals a week, I prepped everything I consumed. If I enjoyed alcohol, it was 2 glasses of wine from Trader Joe’s or a corner bar on a Saturday night.

Okay, yes, at this point you are probably thinking I am a bit nutty, so you won’t be surprised when you read that I typically began my search for a new (to me) clothing item at charity or thrift shops. Not only do I dislike normal shopping, but I also have a strange gift for finding gems in piles of junk. And of course, my preferences and decisions were financially helpful, but importantly, they allowed me to stay organised, maintain health, and regulate my social activities.

Long story short, I enjoy limiting splurges due to the satisfaction I receive from any special treats or exceptions to my norm. I genuinely don’t find happiness in giving into any little pleasure for which I might fleetingly wish. It’s too easy. I believe a little struggle, relatively speaking, not only builds character, but also has the ability to evoke even greater fulfillment.

All that said, I am going to contradict myself slightly…stay with me. I recently committed to a recurring splurge. I know I know – sounds crazy given my soap opera above, doesn’t it? About a month and a half ago, I decided to invest in myself by setting up a monthly subscription on the language learning app, Preply, with a private tutor. This includes 1x 50-minute weekly French lesson after work. And yes, it is not a splurge that’s particularly glamorous, pampering, or relaxing, but it is the first time (outside of my MBA and basic gym memberships) that I am dedicating my time and money to a specific and regular activity. 

Even though these lessons and subsequent study sessions on my own time involve a great deal of effort, this activity is a decision I am making on my own and for myself. Oddly enough, my doubters who think I am too old to start learning are only fueling my dedication. Even though this language seems unintuitive in every way, I am considering every correct pronunciation, spelling, and vocabulary word a small win, knowing that this is the only way I can maintain my motivation and really make it work. 

So, my prompt for you this week is to think about how you are investing in yourself. It doesn’t need to be something you’re purchasing, but it should include an activity that brings you a feeling of self care and/or self growth. Seek something that contributes to your overall well-being, whether that be physical, mental, social, or spiritual. I included a few ideas below to hopefully spark some inspiration for you.

Self Care/Self Growth Activities

• Daily lunch or post-work walks
• Weekly meal prep or new cuisine experimentation
• Recurring catch up calls and hangs with friends
• Hands on classes (i.e. painting, gardening, pottery)
• Online specialty training (i.e. coding or web design)
• Regular city or town exploration (i.e. trying a new restaurant, coffee shop, or walking trail)
• Prayer and/or meditation

I am excited for you to determine the best way(s) in which to invest in yourself. Perhaps it’s your time to think outside of your normal routine to understand what you need or could use to build upon your skills, happiness, and health. You got this. I am routing for you!

All my best,

Bea