Putting myself first, why you should invest in yourself too

Personal Growth

5Comments

09/07/2020

As we get older responsibilities creep in and investing in ourselves becomes challenging sometimes near impossible specially if we don’t have resources, time or funding.  On this blog post I discuss why I’m putting myself first and why you should invest in yourself too. 
Historically women, are often the ones who give up their careers to become stay home mums, careers or we end up working part-time to cope with childcare delaying and sometimes even giving up our career ambitions.

Personally, investing in myself during motherhood hasn’t come naturally or easy, I always prioritised providing for my daughter, I felt that being a single mum gave me insecurities and I always needed to give more.
This time, everything is different and I am lost in family life but seem to be forgetting about myself. 
I know first-hand what it’s like not to invest in yourself, my instincts push me to put others first and at times feel guilty and selfish for wanting to prioritise my own needs.  Honestly, as women we must learn to level these feelings because every time I have invested in myself the results have been more than beneficial both for myself and my daughter.

The best investments I have made:

Education

One of the biggest mistake I made was dropping out of university when I was 18 because I didn’t know what I wanted to do.  Fast forward 12 years later and finishing my university degree was one of the best things I achieved.
I’m not saying that we all need to start going to university or studying however we need to skill up, we need to read, we need to educate ourselves because the world is rapidly changing and we need to keep up.  Knowledge helps us to broaden our experiences, think, analyse and most importantly we become more confident in the skills we already have.

What you can do now

There are plenty of free online resources we can access to ensure we skill up or simply brush up in our current knowledge. Some of my frequently used:
1. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue

2. https://www.classcentral.com/tag/europe

3. https://www.britishcouncil.kz/study-uk/free-courses

Julie working out, upper body

Health

One of the best self investments, its health.

We are often lead to believe that it is expensive but it doesn’t have to be and the rewards are huge.

 One thing is for certain the relationship with my body and self-esteem has become healthier too.  Being healthy is not about a size or how many calories I consume, eat, for me being healthy is being aware of the decisions that I make which impact my body and my mind.

What you can do now

1. Walking

2. Cut down sugars

3. Get a goodnight sleep

Friendships

This is one of my favourite self investments because it is long lasting.  Where would I be without my friends? probably a bit miserable and bored.
The older we become the more challenging it is to keep in touch with friends, life can get in the way.  Although true friends understand this and regardless of time and distance will always be there.
Also, keeping the right friends it’s s important because friends are a pillar of support, motivation and encouragement.  I know that my friends have always been my cheerleaders and at times have also saved me from silly mistakes.

What you can do now

1. Call your friends

2. Arrange a coffe date

3. Make sure your friends are really your friends

Julie in a batch robe, relaxing

Taking time for myself

Taking time for myself is difficult, specially now with a baby, soon I will start making time for myself again.

The personal growth to be gained by spending time away from day to day life is unmeasurable, I always feel like a new person, recharged and ready to go again.

In summary, putting myself first is not selfish, actually it is not about putting myself first… it is just making sure that I remember my goals, ambitions and make a bit of time for them too.

Until next time, stay kind, stay safe

Julie x

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5 Comments

    • Mum in a Rush
      Mum in a Rush on 19/10/2020 at 13:57

      Wow, what a coincidence. A really nice coincidence, I truly believe that we need to grasp life and its opportunities, it’s never too late to start 🙂

      • Rising Star
        Rising Star on 19/10/2020 at 14:02

        Absolutely right friend and I am fully agree with you. We just need a little inspiration to step out of our comfort zone

        • Mum in a Rush
          Mum in a Rush on 20/10/2020 at 12:50

          🙂 we are in agreement

          • Rising Star
            Rising Star on 20/10/2020 at 14:33

            Sure friend ?

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    • Mum in a Rush
      Mum in a Rush on 19/10/2020 at 13:57

      Wow, what a coincidence. A really nice coincidence, I truly believe that we need to grasp life and its opportunities, it’s never too late to start 🙂

      • Rising Star
        Rising Star on 19/10/2020 at 14:02

        Absolutely right friend and I am fully agree with you. We just need a little inspiration to step out of our comfort zone

        • Mum in a Rush
          Mum in a Rush on 20/10/2020 at 12:50

          🙂 we are in agreement

          • Rising Star
            Rising Star on 20/10/2020 at 14:33

            Sure friend ?

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