Once upon a time, I was always about sacrifice. I would never buy myself anything or do anything nice for myself because in my mind hard work = self-love.
Now, that I am older and a bit wiser, I realize that you have to love yourself first. You have to invest in yourself. If you are always sacrificing your own needs and wants and putting everything and everyone before yourself, eventually your cup is going to run empty. At the end of the day, when you truly love yourself and put energy, effort, time, and money into your needs and desires, you are going to live a better life.
Here are 9 things a person should do for themselves at least once a year.
1. Change up your space.
When life gets monotonous or stagnant, it can be really helpful to change something. A really simple place to start is with your space. Re-arrange your favorite room, paint, buy some cheap decor and make it aligned with your current space. Remember, we change over time, so it’s normal to feel the need for change around you too.
2. Learn something new.
Start a new hobby or project that is brand new to you. Learn about it by reading books, watching DIYs, and speaking with experts. Then, invest time into your new hobby. You never know, your next new venture could be your purpose.
3. Sign up for a service that makes life easier and more enjoyable.
Subscription services come in all shapes in sizes. They have movies, books, music, grocery delivery, food delivery, and they even have clothes and make-up. Choose one that will simplify your life.
4. Clear out the clutter.
Purge your home, your life, and everything in between. Empty your email inbox. Clean out your closet. Throw out old clutter just sitting in your way and make way for nicer and newer things, or enjoy a bit of minimalism.
5. Improve a major area of your life in small steps throughout the year.
Is there something bothering you in your life? Perhaps you have a problematic eating habit, or you feel like you should spend more time meditating and working on finding your center. Whatever it is, determine how you want to change and make small steps in that direction.
6. Get clear on your values.
Our values become clearer over time and some even fall away. Each year, make a list of your values and see how they evolve.
7. Treat yourself to a night that is all about you.
Every year, take a night out that is centered around you. Go out to your favorite place to eat, buy yourself something nice or go on a little trip.
8. Travel.
You don’t have to travel to a different country (but doing so would be fun too) to enjoy travel. Take a day trip to somewhere cool close by and enjoy some new experiences.
9. Catch up with someone you love and haven’t seen in a while.
You know that friend or family member you’ve been ignoring for the past few months because life has been chaotic? Call them up and catch up. Invite them out to dinner. Do something to re-ignite the relationship.