Balanced Black Girl Podcast: [Solo] How to Invest In Yourself
Release Date: October 29, 2024
Host: Balanced Black Girl (Cynthia)

Introduction

In the Balanced Black Girl podcast episode titled "[Solo] How to Invest In Yourself," host Cynthia delves deep into the multifaceted concept of self-investment. Balancing personal development with practical advice, Cynthia shares her personal experiences from 2024, highlighting the importance of investing in various aspects of one's life to foster overall well-being and growth.

Embracing the Winter Arc

Winter Arc Concept:
Cynthia begins by discussing the "winter arc," a trending term on TikTok referring to the fourth quarter when individuals lock in their goals and push to achieve them before the year's end.

Cynthia [01:47]: "A lot of the girlies are calling it their winter arc on TikTok, which is basically where Q4 everybody is kind of locking in and really getting in on their goals."

Personal Approach:
Contrary to the typical winter arc hustle, Cynthia opts out of the intense goal-chasing this year. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of balancing effort with rest, acknowledging the intense self-investment she has already undertaken.

Cynthia [01:47]: "I personally am not participating in the winter arc this year because I feel like I've been pushing myself so hard all year that I honestly need to do the opposite and I need to chill a little bit."

1. Investing in Physical Wellbeing

Foundational Importance:
Physical health serves as the cornerstone of overall well-being. Cynthia underscores that our bodies are the one constant we have throughout our lives, making self-care in this area paramount.

Cynthia [01:47]: "Our physical bodies are really the only thing we have that's truly ours, that we will have over the whole span of our lives."

Personal Investments:
Cynthia shares her journey of maintaining physical fitness, from her early college days to her current challenges in New York City. She discusses her recent decision to invest in a higher-end gym membership to overcome limitations faced with smaller, less equipped gyms.

Cynthia [10:30]: "I did invest in a gym membership... One of the investments that I have made that has been helping me make more progress in this area is I did invest in a gym membership."

Adaptation and Growth:
Acknowledging the plateau she faced due to limited equipment and lack of fresh air, Cynthia highlights how this investment not only improved her physical health but also her mental well-being by providing a sense of community.

2. Investing in Mental Health

Therapy as a Tool:
Mental health is a critical area of self-investment. Cynthia elaborates on her return to therapy, emphasizing its role in processing past events and managing emotions to unlock her full potential.

Cynthia [15:20]: "I've talked A little bit on the podcast about how I went back to therapy this year. And as I've gone back to therapy, I've been approaching therapy differently."

Financial Commitment:
Recognizing therapy's financial demands, especially when specific preferences like finding a Black woman therapist come into play, Cynthia discusses the value she derives from this investment despite its high cost.

Cynthia [22:07]: "Child, it hurts the pockets. It's expensive. But for me is an important bill to pay because it is creating such a return in terms of helping me feel well mentally, which is absolutely priceless."

Accessible Alternatives:
For listeners who might find traditional therapy unaffordable, Cynthia suggests alternatives such as sliding scale services like Open Path Collective, journaling, and meditation practices.

3. Building Confidence

Confidence Through Action:
Cynthia challenges the conventional belief that confidence stems from achievements. Instead, she posits that confidence arises from the act of trying and consistently showing up for oneself.

Cynthia [26:06]: "You get confident from practicing, from showing up for yourself, from doing the things that you say you were going to do."

Practical Steps:
By engaging in physical activities and therapy, Cynthia illustrates how these actions naturally build confidence without relying on external validation.

Cynthia [28:09]: "Doing the things that you say you were going to do...showing up for yourself for something of sticking to something, of becoming stronger physically, which leads you to feeling stronger mentally, which builds the confidence."

Balancing Vanity and Self-Improvement:
While discussing confidence, Cynthia touches on personal appearance and dental health as avenues for boosting self-esteem, emphasizing that such investments should enhance one's natural self rather than alter it fundamentally.

4. Investing in Appearance

Personal Experience with Invisalign:
Cynthia shares her journey with Invisalign, highlighting both the health benefits and the boost in confidence it provided her.

Cynthia [28:17]: "I have felt so much more confident. I have felt myself smiling so much more and I have felt myself speaking up more and using my voice more and being less critical of how I look because I did make that specific change."

Balanced Approach:
Cynthia advocates for investing in appearance in a way that feels authentic and necessary, cautioning against succumbing to societal pressures to change fundamentally.

Cynthia [37:22]: "If you do make investments in your appearance, I like doing things that make me look more like myself, but just like a more fresh, put together, elevated version of myself."

Creative Utilization of Existing Resources:
Rather than splurging on new clothes, Cynthia emphasizes the importance of creatively styling what one already owns, thereby making self-investment more financially sustainable.

Cynthia [40:32]: "I've actually just invested the time to learning how to wear the clothes that I already have. That has been probably the biggest learning because again, I'm now paying for Invisalign. I'm now paying for therapy."

5. Building a Relationship with Yourself

Intentional Self-Reflection:
Cynthia highlights the significance of spending quality time alone to truly understand oneself, moving beyond mere solitude.

Cynthia [46:53]: "Just because I was comfortable doing things with myself or doing things by myself didn't mean that I was actually spending time with myself."

Self-Discovery Practices:
Through journaling and introspection, Cynthia explores her motivations, preferences, and reactions, fostering a deeper connection with herself.

Cynthia [48:16]: "Understanding that about yourself is an incredible investment in yourself."

Reducing External Noise:
Cynthia advises cutting back on external inputs, such as constant media consumption, to better listen to one's inner voice and foster creativity.

Cynthia [48:48]: "Maybe cut that back a little and see what happens when you don't have other people's voices in your head."

Conclusion

Cynthia wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to identify and engage in their unique self-investment practices, tailored to their individual needs and circumstances. She emphasizes that investing in oneself can manifest in various forms—be it physical health, mental well-being, confidence, appearance, or self-relationship—and should ultimately lead to enhanced well-being and fulfillment.

Cynthia [49:24]: "If you're ready to protect and boost your collagen naturally, head over to Biosil Beauty and use my code, balanceless for 30% off your order."

While the episode contains several advertisements, the core content offers profound insights into personal growth and self-care. Cynthia's relatable anecdotes and practical advice make it a valuable listen for anyone looking to invest in themselves meaningfully.

Notable Quotes

• Cynthia [01:47]: "Investing in yourself is actually an excellent place to put your investment, because when you put your time and your energy and your resources towards yourself, there's no limit to what your return can be."

• Cynthia [26:06]: "You get confident from practicing, from showing up for yourself, from doing the things that you say you were going to do."

• Cynthia [48:42]: "When you spend time just checking in with your body, then you know what you need to invest in yourself physically."

• Cynthia [49:12]: "What happens when you only have your voice in your head? How do you feel?"

Final Thoughts

"[Solo] How to Invest In Yourself" is a comprehensive guide to self-investment, blending personal narratives with actionable strategies. Cynthia's transparent discussion about her own investments in physical health, mental well-being, confidence, appearance, and self-relationship provides a roadmap for listeners to embark on their own journeys of self-improvement and empowerment.

For more insights and episodes, subscribe to Balanced Black Girl on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Engage with the community on Instagram and TikTok to share your self-investment journeys.