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Have you ever reflected on a significant investment you made in the past that completely transformed your life? That moment when you took a leap of faith and made a decision that, in hindsight, altered the course of your life in unimaginable ways.

You remember telling everyone you know and you become an advocate for the work, and used it to empower others.

So why is it so hard for us to prioritise ourselves over anything else?

Reflecting on the times I’ve hesitated to pursue interests that I knew would positively impact my health, I realise that my responses were often clear-cut: either a resounding yes or a definitive no. However, lurking beneath those responses was an abundance of excuses and seemingly valid justifications that served as barriers to investing my time, energy, or finances.

And underneath is my relationship to self-worth.

The concept of self-worth heavily influences our decision-making process when it comes to investing our money, time, and energy into endeavours that have the potential to bring us joy, fulfilment, abundance, and peace. However, we often find ourselves caught in a cycle of self-doubt, questioning our worthiness and validity, even though investing in our well-being has little to do with whether we deserve it or not. 

Yes, there could be other factors and reasonable reasons why “investing” is not right at the time, but what can be helpful to understand ourselves better is to understand where we are coming from when we make these decisions.

Are we coming from a place of love and acceptance or are we coming from a place of lack and self-doubt?

Reasonable reasons why we don’t “Invest”

Lack of Awareness

• Without awareness of the potential benefits, we may not prioritise our health or allocate resources towards it.

Time Constraints

• Modern life is often fast-paced and demanding, leaving little time for self-care and health-related activities. Busy schedules, work commitments, and family responsibilities can make it challenging to find time.

Financial Constraints: 

• Investing in health can be expensive, anyone facing financial constraints will not see this as a priority.

Lack of Motivation

• It takes discipline and commitment to maintain consistent habits and it does take time. It can feel difficult to prioritise our well-being over other immediate gratifications or demands.

Unrealistic Expectations: 

• Health improvements often require consistent effort and time, which can lead to frustration and discouragement if expectations are not met quickly.
  

Fear or Resistance to Change: 

• Change can be amazing and it can also be intimidating, and this can feel like resistant. Comfort zones, habits, and fear of the unknown can prevent people from taking steps towards investing in their well-being.
  

Lack of Support: 

• Without a supportive environment, it can be very challenging to stay motivated and committed.
  

Prioritising Other Obligations: 

• Career and family commitments quite often come first, leaving little time or energy for self-care and health investments.
  

But where are we really coming from when we make decisions on our health?

In the past, I’ve found myself making decisions based on the fear of missing out or holding myself back, all rooted in my perception of self-worth. There have been instances where I’ve hesitated to fully embrace opportunities because I felt like I was already doing too much or didn’t believe I deserved them. However, I’ve also had moments where I wholeheartedly recognised my own worth and made decisions from a place of empowerment. Sometimes, I’ve chosen to go against the grain, disregarding any feelings of abandonment and simply taking a leap of faith. On the flip side, there have been times when I held myself back due to self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. Some of these decisions I was consciously aware of, while others were driven by unconscious beliefs I hadn’t yet uncovered

Developing an awareness is crucial for us to recognise and acknowledge when we make choices, not only regarding our health but in every facet of our lives. It’s essential to understand how our sense of self-worth influences the decisions we make and the impact it has on our overall well-being.

When Self-Worth becomes a barrier – what should we do?

Recognise and Acknowledge

• Get conscious to where you are coming from. Fear, or Compassion. Understand that your perception of self-worth may be influencing your choices and holding you back from pursuing what you truly desire.
  

Cultivate Self-Compassion

• Slow down, take your time to sit with your feelings. Remind yourself that everyone has insecurities and moments of self-doubt. Embrace self-acceptance and practice self-love, knowing that you are deserving of happiness and fulfilment.
  

Challenge Negative Beliefs

• Notice what is true about your thoughts and interrupt the noise by examining the evidence supporting them and reframing them into more empowering and positive statements. Replace self-criticism with self-compassion.
  

Seek Support

• Reach out to trusted friends, family, or professionals who can provide support and guidance. Sharing your feelings and experiences with others can offer a fresh perspective and help you gain insights into your self-worth challenges.
  

Practice Self-Care

• Engage in activities that promote self-care and bring you back to your most natural self. An activity that keeps you grounded and focused on what the best decision for your will be.
  

Why Investing is worth it!

What do we GET when we invest in our health, whether it’s mental or physical?

I am filled with immense gratitude for the serendipity that led me to discover yoga and the transformative inner work that partners it so harmoniously. Since embracing this practice, my life has undergone a profound and everlasting transformation. One of the greatest gifts I have received is the awareness and understanding of the human condition, freeing me from the heavy burden of feeling alone in my struggles

Investing in our health brings lifelong rewards that go far beyond immediate benefits. It serves as a testament to our relationship with self-worth and signifies that our well-being is a top priority. Through investing, we become more attuned to the life force coursing through our bodies, nurturing our physical, mental, and emotional terrain. The more we dedicate ourselves to this investment, the more we tap into our inherent vitality and align with the abundant energy that flows within us. It is through this profound investment that we truly embrace the fullness of life and unlock the extraordinary potential that resides within.

By prioritising our health, we unlock the door to a vibrant, fulfilling life of vitality, mental clarity, emotional well-being, and success.