When was the last time you were about to spend money on yourself, but decided not to in the end?
You made this decision not due to budget concerns, but because you thought that spending money on yourself was too indulgent.
This blog post is a call to pause and rethink everything you’ve been taught. In a world that often expects us to be selfless caregivers in all aspects of our lives, it’s easy to feel guilty about spending money on ourselves. The truth is, it’s not just okay; it’s essential.
Thankfully, the narrative around self-care is shifting. There is a growing movement that recognizes the fundamental need to invest in our well-being, through our finances, emotions, and time. We are learning that as women if we desire to support those around us, we must prioritize self-care so we have something to give to others. As cliche as it sounds, we truly can’t pour from an empty cup.
So, let’s take a look at seven compelling reasons why it’s more than okay—it’s crucial—to spend money on yourself. It’s not about extravagance; it’s about acknowledging your worth and the profound impact it can have on your well-being and on your ability to show up in the world as the best version of yourself.
Let’s explore why self-investment is a worthy investment.
1. Keep a Promise to Yourself.
You’ve made the decision. You’ve done the work. You’ve decided that you are worth investing in. Yet you still find yourself shrinking back when it’s time to make that financial commitment. I see you. I’ve been you.
This is what I know from experience; The more I’m willing to invest in myself, the more I grow. The more often I follow through with my dreams and promises to myself to “do the thing,” the more confidence I can have and the more likely I am to choose to invest in myself again in the future.
So, keep that promise to yourself. Invest in yourself and reap the dividends.
2. Prioritize Self-Care Over Life’s Demands.
When life feels busy and overwhelming, spending money on yourself can feel like the most counterintuitive thing to do. But when you think about it deeper, it actually isn’t. Perhaps that money is invested in going on a mini-personal vacation, hiring a life coach, purchasing a fitness program, or having a transformational experience, like a Spark Session (aka boudoir session) at Show Your Spark. In each of these cases, that financial investment pays off in mental health dividends enabling you to better face the challenges of life.
3. Create Something to Look Forward To.
When life doesn’t allow you to escape, try planning ahead for it. We might not all be able to pack our bags with a moment’s notice and run off to find much-needed rest and relaxation. But we can plan and prepare for it with some intentional thoughtfulness.
When you spend money on yourself on larger ticket items, you can save a little each month as you prepare for the experience. This makes the experience a bit more budget-friendly and gives you something positive to look forward to. On the most challenging days, having that one glimmer of future hope can make all the difference in how you approach your day and current circumstances.
4. Personal Growth.
Let’s face it, everything costs money. So why not give your hard-earned dollars the job of financing personal growth experiences. Those experiences could look like different things to different people. If you aren’t sure where to start, consider investing in therapy, books, audiobooks, seminars, retreats, training certifications, taking up a new hobby, or anything that brings you joy. Any investment in your emotional well-being, boosting your self-esteem, and mental health is a wise investment.
5. Show Yourself the Same Kind of Love You Show Others.
Most of us are more inclined to spend money on a loved one than on ourselves. What if we flipped the script, and loved ourselves enough to spend money on ourselves. If we are willing to give gifts to others, why not begin to give gifts to yourself as well (as long as it fits the budget). If purchasing yourself gifts feels weird at first, start with something small- perhaps with a bunch of flowers, a new journal, a fancy coffee drink, or a solo dinner out.
6. Make Memories That Bring You Joy and a Boost of Confidence.
If you are anything like me, the majority of your paycheck goes to basic necessities– housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, etc. Extra funds often go to home repair, family needs, household supplies, and the occasional dinner out. When I look at my budget, a very small portion of my income is spent on making memories and boosting my confidence. In our financial planning, I think it is wise to intentionally save and then invest our funds into activities that make joyful and confidence-boosting memories. Perhaps a vacation, a new adventure, a new hobby, or a photography experience would be just the trick!!
7. Inspire Others.
By embracing self-investment you become a part of a movement that encourages us all to prioritize our mental well-being. Gone are the days of sacrificing everything for everyone leaving nothing left for yourself. (Or at least they should be.) When you choose to spend money on yourself in any of these ways, you inspire and encourage others to prioritize themselves through their financial resources as well. I’ve heard it said, that we can see our priorities by looking at our cashflow. Where are you investing your financial resources?
What do you think? Are you ready to spend money on yourself? I hope so! While I would never advise you to spend irresponsibly, this is your call to add a line item to your budget for yourself. Label it “personal investment,” “self-celebration,” or “gifts to self.”
It’s Okay to Spend Money on Yourself
If you are looking for the perfect investment in yourself, that is a gift to yourself, an investment in self-care, gives you something to look forward to, invests in your mental well-being, will create positive memories, will inspire others, and will help you keep a promise to yourself— we have a solution for you!
Consider a Spark Session (aka our version of boudoir photography) with us at Show Your Spark.
Show Your Spark is a full-service, luxury photography studio in Braintree, MA founded on the belief that ALL women deserve to feel confident and powerful in their own skin – no exceptions. We are on a mission to help women find and celebrate confidence through trauma-informed, transformative, and empowering portrait experiences in our studio, through community events, and through our philanthropic work.
If this sounds like an investment worthy of spending money on yourself, contact us to learn more about this experience.
Here’s what to expect when you contact us!
- Schedule a free consultation call to have all your questions answered and start planning your Spark Experience.
- Select a Spark Session date that fits your schedule.
- Rock the session like the bright light you are, and create beautiful, tangible artwork to inspire you for the rest of your life.
Remember, you are powerful, courageous, and one of a kind! It’s time to show your spark!
