Becoming the Best Version of Myself: How 2023 Transformed Me into a Healthier and Wealthier Individual

Hello World!

Can you believe it's already 2024? As I sit here reflecting on the past year, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and accomplishment. You see, 2023 was the year that transformed me into a healthier and wealthier individual, and I couldn't be more proud of the progress I've made. The concept of "becoming the best version of oneself" is often tossed around, but it wasn't until 2023 that I truly understood its power. Today, I want to take you on a journey through my personal transformation and share with you how I became the best version of myself. From prioritizing physical health to nurturing mental well-being, and from achieving financial growth to reflecting on personal growth, this blog post will cover it all. So grab a cozy blanket, a warm cup of tea, and let's dive in!

Introduction

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We've all heard the phrase "be the best version of yourself." It's something of a mantra in self-help circles, but it can often feel like a vague and nebulous concept. It wasn't until last year that I grasped the true meaning of this mantra and took it to heart. I decided to mold myself into the best I could be – physically, mentally, and financially.

My life before 2023 was comfortable, but it lacked direction and fulfillment. I was drifting along, living life on autopilot. I was physically unfit, mentally tired, and financially unstable. The dissatisfaction kept gnawing at me until one day, it dawned on me - I deserved better, and I was the only one who could make it happen. I decided to hit the reset button in 2023.

The year 2023 was a revelation! Through the course of the year, I made conscious, deliberate choices which had a significant impact on my life. From choosing to eat healthier, incorporating physical activities into my daily routine, prioritizing mental health – I realized that becoming the best version of oneself is an inside job.

Setting Goals

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The importance of setting goals can't be stressed enough. Before 2023, I realized that in order to change my life, I needed to have clear, achievable goals. So, I sat down and wrote what I wanted to achieve in my health and financial life. When I created my vision board for the year,  I had two main goals: Run 5K and save $5K. These two simple goals would influence the decisions I made throughout the year and become the catalysts for my transformation.

But setting goals is just the first part. I had to work hard to achieve them. There were plenty of obstacles and moments of self-doubt. However, I remained persistent and reminded myself of why I set those goals in the first place. Achieving my goals was one of the most gratifying experiences. It was a clear testament of how far I had come. Moreover, reaching my goals played a pivotal role in my transformation, shaping me into the healthier and wealthier individual I am today.

Financial Growth and Stability

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Let's talk about money matters. Changing my financial health was the first goal I tackled. My finances before 2023 were a mess. I had debt, no savings, and a spending habit that was out of control. I often found myself living paycheck to paycheck. I had a decent income, but poor money management skills. I would often splurge on non-essentials and had no clear financial goals. 

To turn things around, I got serious about budgeting, began tracking my expenses, and started setting clear, measurable financial goals. This included things like building an emergency fund, paying off credit card debt, and saving for retirement. Slowly but surely, I started to see improvements. I was able to pay off my debt, start a savings account, and have extra money to invest. I learned a lot about money management. I learned to differentiate between needs and wants, to budget and to plan for the future. I also learned the importance of investing and growing my wealth. By the end of 2023, I had achieved several of my financial goals. I had paid off my credit card debts, built a decent emergency fund, and started saving for retirement. More importantly, I had developed a healthy relationship with money.

Building financial discipline was no easy feat. It was a constant struggle, especially in the beginning. I had to make sacrifices and prioritize my financial health over immediate gratification. There were times when I was tempted to splurge on items I didn't need. But I reminded myself of my financial goals and the importance of staying disciplined. This helped me resist the urge to make impulsive purchases. The result? A healthier bank account and a great sense of accomplishment. I was proud of myself for sticking to my financial plans and achieving my goals.

Prioritizing Physical Health 

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My health journey is among those things that I am especially proud of. Back in early 2023, my health habits were all over the place. I ate too much junk food, slept too little, and barely exercised. I was often tired, and I wasn't happy with how I looked or felt. As I discovered, in the quest for becoming the best version of oneself, physical health must top the list. I still had my goal of running a 5k, but halfway through the year, I still hadn't made any steps in reaching that goal. As fate would have it, my sister invited me to visit a gym with her. I signed up a free trial and my journey began. 

Taking the first steps were the hardest. I signed up for a personal trainer, so I could be held accountable and learn more about strength training. I never went to gym before because it intimidated me. All the equipment was overwhelming and I didn't know how to use any of it. Having a personal trainer made the introduction to strength training easier, and I would recommend it to beginners if it is financially feasible for you. Along with my personal trainer, I also had a nutrition coach for a month. I'll admit I was not as committed to my nutrition as I was to my training, but I after a while I realized that the better I ate, the better I trained, so my training began to influence my nutrition. 

The changes I made were simple, but they required determination and consistency. I started strength training 4-5 times a week, and then eventually I started running about 2-3 times a week. I incorporated a more balanced diet - more fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, and less junk food. I try to follow the 80-20 approach, where 80% of my diet is more nutritious foods. 

The results were astounding! A few months into these changes, I felt more energetic, healthier, and happier. The most unexpected surprise was the positive impact it had on my mental health. I felt more focused and less stressed. The transformation was not just about losing weight or gaining muscles. It was about feeling good about myself, enjoying a healthier life, and being confident. Being physically healthy was a stepping stone to unlocking other transformations.

Nurturing Mental Health & Changing Mindset

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I learned that transformation is not just about physical or financial changes. It's all about your mindset. If you don't have the right mindset, you'll find it hard to stick to your health and financial goals. My journey wasn't all smooth sailing. There were countless times when I doubted myself. But I knew that these were just obstacles I had to overcome. I watched videos, listened to podcasts, and surrounded myself with positive influences. I started journaling my thoughts and feelings, which greatly helped in overcoming self-doubt. A positive mindset not only helped me achieve my goals but also improved my overall well-being. I was happier and more confident.

I realized that physical health and mental well-being go hand in hand. I made a conscious decision to recognize and accept my feelings and emotions. Bottling up feelings or ignoring them only leads to more stress and anxiety. I also started to practice mindfulness. This included simple things like deep breathing exercises and mindful eating. These simple practices helped me alleviate stress and anxiety. It made me more self-aware  and helped me maintain a positive attitude. Positivity, I've found, has a ripple effect. When I started incorporating positivity into my life, I noticed significant changes. I felt happier, more energized, and more motivated to reach my goals.

Overcoming Setbacks

In every transformation, setbacks are inevitable. In my health journey, I experienced days when I deviated from my diet or missed a workout. In my financial journey, there were times when I overspent or missed a savings target. However, instead of letting these setbacks discourage me, I used them as learning experiences. Each setback taught me something valuable about myself and my journey. It taught me resilience and perseverance. Most importantly, it taught me to keep moving forward.

Reflection And Continued Growth

Reflecting on my journey, I realize how much I have grown. I am not the same person I was at the start of 2023. My perspective had changed, and my priorities had shifted. I've learned that transformation is a continuous process. Even after achieving my goals, I knew I had to continue growing and improving. I'm still learning, and I plan to keep moving forward. 

Last year taught me valuable lessons about taking care of myself, physically and mentally, and managing my finances. The process wasn't easy, but the rewards were worth the effort. I'm a stronger, happier, and healthier individual because of it. And if I can do it, so can you. My advice to anyone seeking to become the best version of themselves is simple. Start where you are, with what you have. Transformation doesn't happen overnight. It's a slow and steady process. Always remember, it's you who holds the power to change your life. Don't be afraid to take the first step towards becoming the best version of yourself. Embrace the journey, and trust the process. I encourage everyone to embrace change and strive to become the best version of themselves. It's a journey worth taking.

Au Revoir,

~ Kerin