It’s 2021, and with a new year in front of you, it’s important to take time to set a plan of action in place for how you can best invest in yourself moving forward. There are so many factors that contribute to your overall wellness and learning how to show self-love is a guaranteed way to shine bright in the new year. Here are a few aspects of self-care that you can carry into 2021 to become the best possible version of yourself.

Carve out specific alone time
You’ve probably thought about setting aside time to practice self-care, but all too often it gets pushed back as our everyday tasks seemingly fill the day. Regardless of how you best like to practice self-care, allotting yourself a specific time to spend alone each day can have many benefits to your well-being.

It could be something as simple as taking a soak with a relaxing bath bomb or going on a walk in the middle of your workday to get some fresh air. However you like to spend your alone time is up to you, but making sure that you are sticking to prioritizing yourself from the very beginning of the year is a great first step to creating a healthy daily routine that allows you to invest in yourself.
Find your passion
Between work and any other responsibilities you may have, it can be easy to slip into a state of complacency. This year, set an intention to figure out what sort of people, hobbies, or things you find yourself passionate about.

There are so many different things to be passionate about, and finding what this is can help you get a better sense of who you are at your core. The beauty of it is that your passions can change and evolve over time, so the start of the year offers the perfect opportunity to rethink and reimagine where you find yourself the happiest and content.
Set big picture health goals
The start of the year is a popular time to refocus and reset health goals. While it is common to look at ways to incorporate more exercise in your daily routine or start meal prepping, getting serious about your self-care in 2021 should include setting some big picture health goals.

Think about a few of the easier to forget health concerns that many people push off as a hassle or less important, but can actually make a big impact on your long-term health. For example, visiting an eye doctor to update your prescription eyeglasses may seem like a small task, but ensuring your prescription fits your current vision needs can help fight against eye strain and improve your daily quality of life. Even further, if there is a need for a new prescription it may be an indication of vision changes or decline, which you want to catch early on, so stay on top of those appointments. Similarly, simply scheduling checkups and dental appointments in advance for the year ahead is a proactive way to help you stick to your resolutions throughout the year.
Think about others
Ironically, one of the easiest ways to feel your best is by giving back to others. This year, prioritize giving back to others and your community by donating or volunteering for a cause or organization that you feel connected to. Not only will you be helping out others who may be in need, but there are also health benefits to giving back—like reducing stress, gaining a sense of purpose, and inspiring others to give back too.

Additionally, don’t forget to show appreciation for the special people in your life that support and love you. You’ve made it this far with them by your side, and something as small as sending a gift set can help kickstart someone else’s year off on the right foot as well.
You deserve to spend time and energy on yourself, and by doing so you are actively investing in the person you are becoming. Take this new year as an opportunity to love yourself even more and create better habits for years to come!