Successful Self-Improvement: A Quick Guide To Personal Innovation

Successful Self-Improvement: A Quick Guide To Personal Innovation

During these stressful times, it’s easy to feel lost and confused. Some of us may have been feeling this way pre-pandemic, only to be amplified since quarantine began. Either for personal or professional reasons, letting yourself wallow in negative feelings won’t do you any good. Be proactive and start investing in yourself so you can carry on regardless of what life may throw at you. This notion of resilience has really stuck out for me and in fact it was my word for 2020. I thought a lot about how I personally could be more resilient, both at home and at work. Here is a quick guide to help you attain personal improvement.

Save Money

This may feel like a gimme for a personal finance blogger to say, but I do really believe that being financially responsible removes so much unnecessary stress in life, and gives you a solid foundation for growth. Setting aside money will not only help you be financially independent, but it also makes you prepared for unforeseen events, things like we saw in 2020. Having a well-planned budget is a good start. Here are some ways to help you start on your savings:

  • Cut back on expenses. Identify non-essential things wherein you can cut back like dining out or entertainment subscriptions. You don’t have to totally cancel, but finding low-cost alternatives can help you increase your savings.
  • Set goals. Motivation is key to encourage yourself to save more. Visualize your goals and create a timeline to remind you of your target.
  • Keep track of your expenses. List down everything you spend in a day, then organize them by categories. This way you’ll know how much you actually spend and figure out how much you can save.
  • Grow your food. Plant herbs and vegetables in your garden so you can save more. Your fund is not the only thing that benefits from this but also the environment and your health. Tip: Start by growing more expensive vegetables that you buy regularly.

Improve Mental Health

Perhaps the most important thing to deal with this quarantine is staying mentally healthy. During this pandemic, 4 out of 10 adults in the USA showed symptoms of anxiety or depression. The feeling of isolation and loss of jobs have negative effects on many of us, and worsens the condition of people already suffering from mental illness. 2020 was definitely a mentally trying time for me and I worked hard to exercise both my body and my mind!

Here are some tips on how to stay mentally healthy during these times:

  • Acknowledge that your feeling of anxiety is normal. You’re not the only one that feels anxious about store and school closures, canceled events and limited travel. That feeling actually helps us be more aware of the things that we should be doing like physically distancing and wearing a mask.
  • Stay connected with friends and family. If you can’t be with them physically, then social media and communication apps are the best ways to be connected. Create a proper schedule for this, though, as excessive screen time is not healthy and can also worsen your feeling of anxiety.
  • Distract yourself. Focus on things that you can do something about and not on things you can do nothing about. Feeling excessively bored? Spend time with your pets, binge-watch your favorite shows or read. These can help you find balance in your everyday life.
  • Be physically healthy. Make sure to exercise, eat balanced meals and get enough sleep. These will improve both your immunity and resilience.
  • Write in your journal. Create an everyday list of the things that are going well despite the current situation – maybe you got a new pet, a haircut or made a new recipe. Constantly doing this will help you reflect more on the positive and lessen your stress and anxiety.

Learn New Skills

Now is the perfect time to learn new things that you always wanted to do. Learn to play the guitar, take online classes or improve your gardening skills. There are a lot of free resources available online for just about anything you want to learn. Mrs. Money and I worked on our cooking skills, and tried a number of new recipes, although my homemade biscuits aren’t there quite yet.

If you’re the type that spends a lot of time on social media, it’s also a great avenue for improving your knowledge. Watching blogs or DIY videos not only help you learn something new, but also helps you connect with others by actively sharing your thoughts.

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

Get Physically Active

Daily exercise not only helps you lose weight or keep yourself physically fit, but it also improves brain function and makes you feel happier. Having at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity can help boost your mood and regulate stress. I truly credit me going to the gym several times each week for not only being healthier and less prone to illness, but it was also just as good for my mental health I found.

Aside from preventing mental health problems, being physically active makes you feel good about yourself, and that confidence will help you socialize and meet new people. Start today, in small steps, and before you know it, you will see the effects of this improvement.

It’s perfectly okay to feel lost and doubtful at times – these feelings are normal. For you to innovate yourself, you need to be more open to communication and trying out new things. Follow this guide and see favorable improvements in your personal life.

Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links that earn me a commission.

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