“Self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.” Parker Palmer

There are so many books about gifts, skills, talents, and strengths trying to help us understand how unique we are and how to identify and define a quality that gives us purpose. The bottom line is that when everything is stripped away, who we are, not what we have, is all we have to offer others—our ability to provide encouragement, support and strength to our family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.

This is how we make a difference in the world, it’s how we thrive, and it’s how we leave a legacy.

According to the Brain & Behaviour Research Foundation, self-love is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological and spiritual growth. Self-love means having a high regard for our own well-being and happiness. Self-love means taking care of our own needs and not sacrificing our well-being to please others.

But it’s so easy to forget this. Many psychology studies attest that self-love and self-compassion are essential for mental health and well-being, keeping depression and anxiety at bay. One of the reasons why so many of us struggle with these symptoms is because we have forgotten what self-love means.

At WellsFaber, we know that for us to advise, and you to thrive, we have to look at so much more than just your bank balance – we see you for all the value that you offer to your family and everyone you meet. You are the greatest gift you have to offer others.

Here are some basic self-loving habits that we can all begin to work on today:

Stop comparing yourself to others.

We’re socialised to be competitive, so comparing ourselves to others is natural. But it can be dangerous.

Allow yourself to make mistakes.

From a young age, we’re told repeatedly, “nobody’s perfect; everyone makes mistakes.” But the older you get, the more pressure you feel never to fail. Cut yourself some slack!

Don’t be afraid to let go of toxic people.

Not everybody takes responsibility for the energy they put out into the world. If there’s someone who is bringing toxicity into your life and they won’t take responsibility for it, that might mean you need to step away from them. Don’t be afraid to do this. It’s liberating and vital, even though it may be painful.

Trust yourself to make good decisions for yourself

We so often doubt ourselves and our ability to do what’s right, when most of the time, we know in our hearts what’s best. Remember that your feelings are valid. You’re not losing touch with reality. You know yourself better than anyone else, so be your best advocate.

We found these ideas on healthline.com – you can click here to find several more great ideas!

Don’t ever feel bad for taking time out to heal and restore your soul. Good wealth management is not just about saving money; it’s about knowing what to do with the money you have right now in a way that benefits your physical and mental health, financial situation and helps you make the best use of the time you have.