Investing in yourself is the path to a happy and fulfilling life!
By Nadia Popova
Β
Β
Many women are used to saving on themselves, considering that spending money on themselves is a whim or selfishness. This is especially true for married women with kids. We, as women, tend to forget the most important person in our lives β ourselves. But I strongly believe that putting ourselves first is essential. After all, a happy wife and mother can provide much more to her family than an unhappy one who has pushed her interests and self-development aside.
Investing in yourself is an investment in your happiness and your future.
So, what kind of investments am I talking about?
1. Investing in Books: Psychology and self-improvement books, motivational literature, and more. Good books don't just bring new knowledge but also broaden your horizons, help you find your authentic self, inspiration, and define true goals and the path towards them. Some of them become valuable guides that you turn to again and again when you feel off track.
2. Coaches and Mentors: Don't underestimate the value of guidance from experienced mentors who can help you define your goals and values, enhance your self-awareness as a woman who loves herself and allows for personal growth, and channel your energy in the right direction. When your car breaks down, you go to a mechanic. So why not consult a specialist in self-improvement if you're not satisfied with your current life situation?
3. Practice of Self-Development and Mindfulness: Try new things, don't let yourself become rigid. Engage in meditation or yoga β each path is individual, but happiness and success are impossible without strengthening and developing our inner world and spirituality. If you've been wanting to try something new for a while but haven't gotten around to it, let this post be the sign you've been waiting for!
Remember that loving and taking care of yourself means not only indulging in momentary pleasures like a delicious treat but also building a solid foundation for a happy and harmonious life, brick by brick. The more we invest in ourselves, in our self-improvement, physical and mental well-being, the more opportunities and abundance we attract into our lives!
How to learn to workout out of love for your body and finally start enjoying it?
Most women start exercising not out of self-love, but Most women start exercising not out of self-love, but often due to some dissatisfaction and non-acceptance of their bodies. They hit the gym with one goal in mind - to conquer those unwanted extra pounds. Wanting to exercise is always good, but the motivation needs to be different!
What do I mean? First of all, accept yourself as you are β enough of self-criticism!
Secondly, understand that working out should be beneficial to your body, not harmful. Working out to exhaustion and eating strict diets are dangerous for both physical and mental health. But is it really possible to love sports and start enjoying workouts and your body? Absolutely! And I'll tell you how.
1. Don't Compare Yourself to Others: Your body is unique. Avoid comparing yourself to others, especially to models or celebrities for whom looking perfect is part of their job. Your goal is to become the best possible version of you. Comparisons only demotivate.
2. Choose a Sport You Enjoy: If running isn't your thing, don't force yourself to do it. Try dancing, yoga, or swimming. Find a physical activity that brings joy. This way, you're more likely to stick with it.
3. Set Realistic Goals: Don't set goals like losing 10 kilograms in a week or getting a butt like Kim Kardashian's in a month. For instance, a reasonable weight loss range is around 300-1000 grams or 0,66-2,20 lbs per week for an average build.
4. Blend Sports with Pleasure: Create a playlist of your favorite tunes for your workouts, get a cool new set of workout gearβ let everything related to sports evoke positive emotions. This way, you'll eagerly await each new session.
5. Practice Self-Love: Everyone's got imperfections, but there's no need to dwell on them. Focus on your strengths when you look in the mirror and work on self-improvement. You deserve care and love for your body.
6. Consistency and Patience: To achieve your goals, consistency is crucial, which is why sports should be enjoyable. And, of course, be patient. The less frequently you step onto the scale, the more satisfying it becomes to witness those first results in a few months!Β
Acceptance and self-understanding - the first steps towards a happy life.
You can dive into self-improvement books, sweat it out at the gym, attend hundreds of workshops, but unless you truly accept and believe in yourself, success and happiness might stay unattainable.
What does ACCEPTING yourself mean?
Accepting yourself means embracing your entire self, your strengths, and your weaknesses. It's time to stop comparing yourself to others. We're all different, each with our own unique qualities. Embracing this lets you freely embrace LIFE, living on your own terms! Learn to say "no" to things that don't sit right with you or things you don't want to do, all without the guilt trip. Don't feel like going to that long-planned meetup with friends? Politely decline without beating yourself up. It's your life, after all!
What does UNDERSTANDING yourself mean?
Understanding yourself means truly understanding your dreams, passions, and values. Figure out what really matters to you and what you want to achieve. Your path should be based on your personal beliefs and aspirations, not on others' expectations and judgments. (We'll discuss ways to understand yourself and determine your priorities β not society's imposed ones β in the next post.) And, of course, it's important to BELIEVE in yourself.
This means believing that whatever you set your mind to is possible! Of course, different goals demand different efforts. To avoid disappointment at the very start of your path to a goal, break it down into numerous small, easily achievable steps. And most importantly, never give up! Failures are part of the journey to success, not a sign that you're undeserving. Only those who do nothing make no mistakes or losses.
On my journey towards a happy life, I often made mistakes, measured myself with someone else's ruler, tried to be the "perfect" woman, friend, wife, and so on, until I accepted myself, my values, and believed that I could truly be myself and still be successful!
Do you remember the tale of the Ugly Duckling?
Β
This tale reminds me of my life, or rather, my inner transformation.
Right now, I'm feeling like a graceful swan, but I vividly recall what it's like to be that awkward duckling!
My journey of self-transformation began with the search for harmony and self-love for my body, which eventually led me to bodybuilding, where I have taken first, second, and third-place victories. But a sense of SELF-WORTH was not part of the package! Even as I changed my body and saw astonishing results, my self-worth was still missing. Sure, I gained self-confidence, yet self-worth remained a distant goal.
Every time during or between competitions or amid long breaks when motivation faded, my default mode kicked in β low self-worth, and as a result, I looked for an escape route! People often tend to compensate for things in various ways. In my case, it was constant overeating, alcohol, and, most importantly, a profound emptiness...
After a while, I delved into psychology, subconscious exploration, and various practices. This journey spanned years, and I believe I'll be doing it always, even many years from now.
Now, I can definitively state, "what's within me is what's reflected outside!" Our core self-perception attracts people alike and certain events into our lives. Your reality's like a mirror for what's deep down.
Self-worth is the baseline feeling derived from the love of our parents. If we haven't received it and fail to address it, we'll grapple with it throughout life.
Studying psychology and coaching largely altered my life. Today, people from my "past" hardly recognize me and are amazed by my transformation. Thus, I confidently affirm that coaching works, and thanks to having experienced the ugly duckling phase, I precisely understand how to help women completely change their lives.
Right now, I'm living an entirely conscious life, helping women in discovering themselves, gaining self-confidence, harmony, and self-worth.
If you're eager to elevate your quality of life, stop searching "out there" and start seeking "within." I'm here to assist you on this journey.
