You will come across hundreds of investment articles in your lifetime. From cryptocurrency to real estate, there will always be someone trying to sell you a new way to make money. What you won’t see is whether that same person is happy or miserable. Investing wisely is an important and useful life skill, but the same thing can be said for working on yourself as a human being. Here are six things you can invest in to become a better version of yourself.
Travel
Travel is not cheap, but it’s something you should absolutely invest in if you want to work on self-improvement. Not only is traveling exciting, fun, and a great way to relieve stress, but it’s also something that can change your perspective and help you be a better person. Whether you book an awe-inspiring 2023 Alaska cruise or you finally take that trip to Egypt to see the great Pyramids of Giza, traveling will help you understand exactly who you are when you aren’t in your comfort zone.
Experiences
At the end of your life, you will be far happier that you invested in experiences instead of possessions when you realize none of what you own is coming with you when you die. Maybe the ancient Egyptians would like to protest that point, but, in truth, experiences make memories, and memories make you who you are. So if you have been hesitating to buy those concert tickets or if you’ve always wanted to see a Broadway play, now is the time to do it. Work on building a life of amazing experiences and you will never spend a day regretting what you didn’t do.
Education
Investing in your education can pay off in many ways. First, if you want to change careers so that you feel happier and more fulfilled, putting money towards a new degree is worth it. When you put your resources into what motivates you, into your passions, the payoff is far more rewarding than if you stick to the safe and predictable road.
Next, learning is a lifelong pursuit. When you put yourself in the shoes of a student, you get to practice humility and graciousness, two traits that will help you relate to people better throughout your life.
If returning to school for two or more years isn’t something you can do right now, you can always explore certificate courses. In some cases, training for a specific certificate can take as little as four weeks. Other courses may take six months or more, but in the end, you will leave the course with a professional skill that you can use at your job or when searching for a new job.
In today’s economy, digital software certificates can get you far. Large platforms such as Salesforce and Google offer courses that you can pay for to learn the ins and outs of their systems, and you can take that knowledge and your official certificate and find high-paying jobs.
5. Yoga
While you might already have a gym membership, it would be wise to consider taking yoga classes. Practicing yoga is a great way to relieve stress and help your body heal from years of terrible posture and bad habits. Some of the benefits of yoga are:
Increased joint health
Better flexibility
Improvement of heart health
Efficient oxygen flow and breathing
Supporting good mental health
Wardrobe
Possessions aren’t everything, but having a nice wardrobe can help you feel confident when you step out the door every day. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on new clothes to feel like the best version of yourself. Choose a few key items that you can mix and match to create looks that you feel great about. Make sure you include at least one new perfume or cologne to add that extra sparkle when you leave the house.
Investing isn’t always about putting your money into the stock market. Take some time and figure out what areas of your life need a little more care and attention.
