When a new year begins it is the perfect time to invest in yourself, to make the most of yourself and take advantage of all the opportunities that this mental ‘reset’ offers you. Starting the year is like waking up in the morning, it’s like you have a new book to write full of blank pages … you have to take advantage of it!

First of all think: when was the last time you did something that you really liked? Most people rarely put themselves first. They invest in technology to organize professional or social life … They dress according to trends or comb their hair as seen in the magazines to be fashionable. But, in doing this, do you really get what you want or are you just conforming to the whims of society?

Some reflection questions

To invest in yourself, you will first have to answer these three questions honestly to yourself, remember that it is not worth lying to yourself!

1. 1. When was the last time you did something you loved

1. 1. What have I done to improve in the last month?

1. Who am I really listening to?

You will better understand how your energy is consumed based on your answers. If you feel like you deserve more personal care, try the following ways to invest in your own well-being and watch your inherent strength reappear.

1. 1. Discover your true needs. No two people have exactly the same needs. Establish what is most important to you and keep it in your life. Remember that what you need doesn’t always match what you want.

1. 1. Work on your self esteem. Even if you think you have good self-esteem, work to improve your opinion of yourself. This requires you to remove your fears and insecurities, and to heal the old hurts that haunt you, once and for all.

1. 1. Don’t apologize for who you are. Enjoy your best and worst features, the totality of your being. What may seem like a personal flaw may be an attractive trait to someone else. You are perfect and imperfect in a unique combination that can never be replicated, and this fact should be accepted by you. Your intuition knows more than you think. Learn to trust your inner voice without hesitation.

1. 1. Never go against your intuition. Your intuition knows more than you think. Learn to trust your inner voice without hesitation. Reason can tell you one thing, but your instinct tells you the right thing, always.

1. 1. Create a bigger version of yourself. Don’t settle for a self-imposed plateau. Always aim a little higher than before. Visualize your ideal life, regardless of how unattainable it may seem right now, and act to achieve it.

1. 1. Practice self-care. If you don’t practice the art of self-care, who will do it for you? Adopt healthy habits and get stronger each day mentally, emotionally and physically. You have to make sure that the situations you decide to participate in are helpful and not harmful.

1. 1. Be an example to follow. Being an example to others means that you act with integrity in all circumstances, which is a sign of careful attention to yourself. When you set an example, you show those around you that you have invested in yourself time and again to achieve a level of excellence.

1. 1. Do what makes you feel good . Often times, it is the simplest things that bring the deepest joy, yet we hardly find time for these precious activities. Don’t put off your simple pleasures, whether you like to read, sing, or walk. Take actions grounded in a deep seat of love each day. Remember that you have the right to choose the people and things you want in your life.

1. You have options. Be careful of making the same mistakes due to habit or influence. Don’t be afraid to go in and weigh your options before making decisions. Remember that you have the right to choose the people and things you want in your life. By increasing your awareness of what you deserve, you can foster a healthy balance between how much you do for others and how much you do for yourself.