Hey guys! So, it's almost the end of the first month of 2015 - can you believe it! I've thrown myself into the new year; trying to be productive everyday, getting on with university and making a conscious effort to spend more time laughing and having fun than worrying. But for people that feel like they've lost track or need a little boost, here are a few things that I've learnt - and still learning - simply gathered from chats with my girl friends and on my journey to self-happiness.
1)
Worrying is natural, everybody worries. But when it gets to a point where it disrupts your sleep, or makes you think twice about accepting exciting new opportunities, then it needs to be addressed. I am a little bit of a worrier I have to admit, especially when it comes to uni work, deadlines, interviews etc, but it's important to put things into perspective. 1)
What's the worst that can happen? and 2)
will worrying yourself now have any impact on the outcome? 99% of the time, worrying two weeks before i.e an exam, going back to uni/school, an interview, or anything outside of your comfort zone, will not effect what actually happens at the time, so why worry? be conscientious of course, and prepare yourself but worrying too much, I find, can really ruin your time and it's so easy to find yourself in a negative place, but
put things into perspective - enjoy today, put it to the back of your mind, because worrying now will not make the end result any better or worse.
2)
Separate yourself from others problems - of course, it's important to be there for your friends and family as much as you can, but it's important to look after yourself first, and although some may think it's selfish, at the end of the day only
you can truly take care of
you. And if you have a lot of things going on, then hearing other peoples problems and getting involved can put extra pressure on yourself, so sometimes there's no harm in stepping back and focusing on yourself.
3)
Set yourself realistic goals - whether it's a goal to lose weight, to eat healthier or to exercise more, it's so important to set realistic goals that you know you can stick to. If you set yourself an unrealistic goal that isn't sustainable then it won't be long till you feel disheartened when you don't see the results, potentially ending up back where you started. Expecting to go to the gym four times a week when you've never regularly worked out before, isn't realistic, find something that not only you will
enjoy, but you can
keep up. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, you're doing great!
4)
Diet? Lifestyle change - I HATE DIETS. If all of our 'diets' worked then why aren't we all bikini babes? That's because the whole idea of cutting out sugary/fattening foods for a couple of weeks/months is flawed. What happens when the diet is over? HELLO CHOCOLATE AND ICE CREAM ALL DAY AND NIGHT. The key is to change your mentality, eating healthily is a lifestyle change, with chocolate and ice cream all day and night - in moderation.
Scrap the diet, and start eating healthily as a
new and improved lifestyle - not something you're forcing for a couple of weeks. Then it won't be long till you're feeling better and seeing the changes you want to see.
*Read Cameron Diaz - 'The Body Book' for some amazing inspiration*
5)
Don't hold yourself back - We only get one life so what are you waiting for? Life is way too short to have regrets or to wish you'd done things sooner. I like to think of it as:
what's the worst that can happen? What's the worst that can happen if you fail that exam? If the answer is no? If you go to an interview and they say no? - exactly that. The earth won't swallow you up whole into a pit of doom and failure, you move on. We live, we learn, we shake it off.
6)
Be pro-active - Want to be a writer? fashion designer? dolphin trainer? then there's no better way to make yourself feel content than by being pro-active. Make steps that will help you to get to where you want to be. Sitting and thinking about it won't get you there, and if you don't strive for change, then nothing will change. Knowing that you're making those steps to better yourself and your life will make you a happier and more content person instantly.
7)
Surround yourself with positive uplifting people - It's as simple as that. People who are negative-Nancys will only make you a negative Nancy. Find some positive Pollys that will lift you, make you feel good and inspire you. There's no better feeling and I'm very lucky to have that with two very special girls :) I always leave them feeling like I can conquer the world!
8)
Get yo' exercise owwwn - It's true. Exercise makes you feel good. As horrible as exercising sounds - the effort, the sweat, the pain - more often than not, it makes you feel good afterwards, productive if you like. Even if it's only for 10/20 minutes, anything is better than nothing!
9)
Document your progress - Thinking of starting your new healthy lifestyle? take a full length picture of yourself and again a couple of months later. There is no better way of getting yourself feeling motivated than
seeing how far you've come and how much your body - however subtle - has changed! This can also be effective in written form; documenting your feelings in a notebook or simply what you've eaten that day is a brilliant way of remembering where you once were, compared to where you are now. Perfect for down days when you need to realise... you ain't done bad girl!
10)
Treat yourself - Run a hot bath with a whole Lush bath bomb (don't try to salvage any - hehe) Pamper yourself, buy that look-at-me dress that you've had your eye on, get your hair done, put on that fake tan (that I've tried to stay away from but I just can't resist), either way.. just love yourself. Do anything and everything you can to get yourself feeling good and confident.
There is nothing wrong with treating yourself and putting that little extra effort in to give you that little boost. Even if it's simply having some time to yourself after a busy week, just do it!
What do you like to do to pamper yourself and feeling more positive? :-)
