How to Invest in Your Sense of Self

Piece featured in: Irish Country Magazine, Waterford News & Star, The Echo Cork, Galway Advertiser, Mayo Advertiser, Leitrim Observer, Irish Daily Mail, Nationalist and Munster Advertiser, Tipperary Star, Athlone Advertiser, Dunalk Democrat, Limerick Leader.

In the last few months, the pace of life has picked up considerably, with many Covid restrictions easing. So, we at Perspectives Ireland just wanted to remind you to take things at your own pace and to take time for yourself. Here are five tips for ways to use your time to invest in your sense of self:

Focus on you

We all might admit that we have spent a lot of time pleasing others and trying to be better, or even perfect. But as you get older, you’re in a better place to give yourself permission to focus on you. Try to make your actions go in the directions that really matter to you. Everyone is entitled to grow in a positive way. Growth and contentment are a process, not an outcome. You can start that process in any way at any time. Stop waiting until tomorrow, you are worth it today.

Accept Yourself

Accept all of who you are. There may be things you want to change, but ironically change flows better from accepting the place you are in at this point in your life.  Think of three things about yourself that you would really like to accept. Maybe it’s your body. Maybe it’s a mistake you made. Or maybe it’s a bad habit you find hard to shake. Everybody has things they need to accept. Find yours and let them go.

Embrace who you are

Really try to embrace who you are. Think of three ways in which you are lovable. Maybe you have a good sense of humour. Maybe you are hard-working. Maybe you have kept your family in comfort. Maybe you’re a good sister. Everybody has something good in them. Find yours and embrace it.

Add to your life

We all sweat the small stuff and most of it never matters. Often, we don’t remember it afterwards. If you can’t remember it, it almost certainly didn’t matter as much as you stressed about it. What was your most recent sweat about? Getting somewhere on time. Not having something you wanted ready. Focusing on a trivial comment someone made. Did any of that time overthinking really pay off? If anything, overthinking drains our physical and emotional wellbeing. It keeps us stuck in loops of self-doubt and future thinking and a false sense of security and control. Let all of that stuff go for good, it will never serve you well.

Investing in you always pays off. Your health will improve. You’ll feel more emotionally grounded. Your sense of self worth will strengthen. You’ll connect better with the people you love. You’ll feel more comfortable in your own skin. And you won’t waste your time sweating the small stuff!

Take care,

Ciara and Yvonne.