THESE Things YOU Should Definitely Do for YOURSELF Once a Year!

Attention to one’s own needs and goals is a topic that is often neglected, yet so important. We are always there for everyone else, but what about our own needs? Not only do the small "me-moments" come about too rarely, but the bigger ones are especially infrequent.

That's why you should definitely schedule these 15 important things, which we present to you in this article, at least once a year for yourself.

1. Buy a good pair of shoes.

Nothing beats a really good pair of shoes. A pair in which you can stroll around for 8 hours without hurting your feet—the ones that make you feel comfortable in any outfit. You should treat yourself to such a pair of shoes at least once a year.

After all, you're not just buying any new pair of shoes, you're buying the ones you put on without thinking because you know that they will always be the right choice. Be good to yourself.

2. Take some time off.

A phone-free evening or a day just for you—when you're not permanently on call—are great for switching off. But they're not nearly enough as real time off. Allow yourself to really get out once a year. Take at least one week off and go away.

During this time, you really should not be available unless you really want to be—for example to send photos to your parents or best friend. Go see something you've always wanted to see. Soak up some new sights, far away from your everyday life.

3. Recognize Your Accomplishments.

At the beginning of the year, you probably expected that you wouldn't get some of your projects completed anyway. Find a new project that you can actually complete and be happy about accomplishing. Finish decorating the apartment; really go on vacation this year. Then at the end of the year, take stock of what you've accomplished.

This will give you an objective view of your life and show you that you are very capable of implementing your plans. Take a look at the objectives that you didn’t reach and question why you failed. You can always take them up again.

4. Get a grip on the problems of everyday life.

What annoys you in everyday life? Do you regularly fail to put away the dishes? Find out why. Start rearranging little things to get these nagging issues under control. You'll be happier overall when you're not already annoyed with yourself in the morning because the plates and pans from the night before are sitting around the kitchen again—reminding you of what you actually need to change.

5. Visit the old folks at home.

You're an adult and naturally you don't want to spend every weekend at your parents' house. But still, a longer visit home once a year should be mandatory—or rather a cause of happy anticipation for you. Visit your parents and the relatives you really want to see. But also plan time with old friends back home.

You're really not so close to these old friends anymore, as compared the friends that you see regularly, but the trip to your former life will be fulfilling just because of that. Revel in great memories together and then look forward to your current life.

6. Restore the basic order in your home.

When you first moved in, everything was so nicely organized. Then you stopped filing your mail regularly and just threw it in the drawer. It looks like a mess there now. Plan to do some basic organizing at least once a year. During regular apartment cleaning, we tend to overlook drawers and messy corners. Take care of these and you'll feel so much better all year long.

7. Do something good for someone.

When was the last time you surprised someone simply because you wanted to? Without any ulterior motive that you should get something out of it. What would your mom, best friend, or boyfriend be surprised and happy about? Plan a surprise for someone—without any thought of its benefit to you. Just seeing the joy of others will give you so much back in return.

8. Try something new.

Skating? Mmm, sounds exciting. A dance class? Yes, that would be something. Making really good sushi yourself? You could learn that too. Do these deprecations sound familiar? They are the reason why we don't have any new—or even any hobbies at all. Instead, we sit at home in the evening after work and are somehow dissatisfied.

At least once a year you should try something new. If necessary, force yourself to do it, or take a friend with you. If it's not for you, then at least you've had a new experience. Or maybe it really could become your new hobby.

9. Replace everyday items

Your favorite T-shirt you’ve worn every night in front of the TV for 10 years? The coffee machine does its job, but even a basic cleaning doesn't really make it look nice anymore. Once a year, replace the really necessary items in your everyday life that still do their job, but aren't really presentable anymore.

10. Do a social inventory.

Whom do you hang out with the most these days? Who would you like to see again someday? Is there anyone who is no longer good to you? Once a year, take stock of your social contacts. Do you miss something? Then think about how and where you can get it.

Maybe you just need to meet new people again. Or maybe you've long been questioning whether a friendship or a relationship still has importance for both of you. Make concrete plans and work on them.

11. What do you wish you had done differently?

What experiences would you have preferred to have had, as opposed to your actual experiences of the year? Write them down in detail, but think about how you can get more of them next year.

12. Learn something new.

When we learn, we feel like we are moving forward in life. Yoga, knitting, Italian, whatever—learn something new. Make time for it and stick to it. It'll be on your list of accomplishments next year.

13. Set a goal with a reward.

Have you always wanted to take your top off at the beach and reveal a toned midriff? Then set that goal for your year and think about the reward while you're at it. When was the last time you went to the beach anyway? Reward yourself for your regular workouts with a planned vacation to experience that exact moment you've been longing for.

14. Rekindle an old friendship.

As adults, we lose track of our old friends so quickly. It doesn't even have to be because of a big fight, life gets in the way. What friendships are you missing? Reconnect with those people. Maybe it will just be a nice exchange about the past. Or maybe a friendship can be revived and you’ll come to realize that your old friend missed you too.

15. Tackle an unpleasant issue.

We can put off many unpleasant tasks for long stretches of time without especially noticeable consequences. Are you having trouble getting a handle on your finances? Do you have a difficult relationship with your parents? Take on at least one major unpleasant issue per year and consciously tackle it.

With this approach, you won't burden yourself with too much at once, but rather allow yourself to focus on one problem area per year and solve it, so that unpleasant aspects of life gradually become less numerous and less unpleasant.

Today’s Conclusion

In everyday life taking care of yourself is often lost amid everything else. And sometimes the simple but steady passage of time gets in the way. But often just to setting a goal and sticking to it would do wonders for you. That's what this list demonstrates. So, what are you waiting for? That's it for today.