I like to think I’m on a journey and having made a few changes in my life, albeit small, I wake up each day thankful, incredibly blessed and mostly quite happy. Some people see me as away with the fairies, others think I live the perfect little life, while a few truly understand who I am.
Here are a few changes that have transformed my life for the better.
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Diet and Exercise
I try to follow the 80/20 rule, eating healthy five days a week with two days of indulgences. I’m at my happiest when I’m clean eating – my body, skin, mind and focus appreciates healthy food. Getting into a routine is difficult but once I’m there, I am at my happiest. Working out is so much more than exercise for me, it’s a way to stay healthy, motivated and a way to release anything that is on my mind. I love a mixture of cardio and free weights, yoga and long walks. -
Mindfulness
Meditating and being aware of the present moment is so refreshing. Mindfulness is huge right now and I really hope it’s here to stay. Meditating a few moments whenever I can really helps to calm my mind and focus on how I feel in that present moment – it takes away any worry of the future or the past. I’ll occasionally follow guided meditations on YouTube, other times I’ll meditate anywhere that I’m feeling tired, anxious or simply pissed off. -
Strength
I’ve learnt that I am in control of how I react to situations rather than letting life have control over me. I believe in myself and follow my instinct. If we don’t think we’re bloody awesome, how can we expect others to? I like who I am, not in a big headed ‘love myself’ kind of way but in a ‘this is my life, my only life, and I want to live it to the fullest’ kind of way. This must be a late-twenties thing. -
Perception
Someone earlier today made a comment that made me realise I am not who people think I am. She assumed my ‘daddy’ funded my lifestyle, holidays etc. This couldn’t be further from the truth – I haven’t lived at home since I was 18 and have been financially independent since then. I work so hard for what I have and nothing comes easy. I am motivated by security, comfort and adventure and I’m not going to sit on my arse waiting for it to happen. It’s moving from that comfort zone that I found hardest but also the most liberating – your past does not define where you should end up in the future! -
Body
This may seem a strange one as my weight probably doesn’t seem to fluctuate to others. But it does. Last year when I lost a lot of weight it frustrated me a lot as I already had a petite frame. Now, I am so much more comfortable in my own skin. I’m proud of my body, especially when I work my arse off in the gym, and I dress for myself, not others. -
Knowing when to say No!
I’ve always been a people pleaser, it’s in my nature to want to help others. This is all well and good but sometimes I’m too honest, fiercely protective and a little stubborn. I’ve learnt that delivery is everything and not everything requires or deserves a reaction. I also used to be so indecisive but now I’m making decisions myself without validation from others and becoming happy with that. I’ve also learnt to accept that I will occasionally f**k up and it’s completely okay, as long as I learn from it! -
Adventure
Nothing feeds my soul more than travelling. I want to see the world and work to live rather than live to work. -
Me Time
Taking a hot bubble bath with a face mask, cooking, reading, dancing.. whatever it is, I always always make time for me. I make sure that I get a good night sleep and ensure that one day a week I rest. This seems lazy to some but I need my rest. I listen to my body and know when to relax. Freelancing means I can spend a lot of time on my own but I’ve rearranged my working week so that I am only home 1-2 days now which suits me perfectly. I like my own space and the freedom of working from home but I need that interaction with others – it’s taken 9 months but I’ve achieved the right balance. -
Energy
I surround myself with those with good energy, who lift me up and accept me for who I am. -
Validation
It breaks my heart seeing others seek so much validation from others. I know I am enough, it doesn’t matter how many likes my Facebook status gets or how many people follow me on Instagram, this makes no difference to my life at all. -
Dream
I’ve let myself dream again. I’m not embarrassed for living a fulfilling life no matter what it appears to others. I’d much rather be annoyingly positive than a negative Nancy. I’m genuinely excited about life and incredibly thankful. I aspire to live a life that when I am 80 years old, I’ll be able to smile and know that I lived a life I loved. I know that each day is a new chance to start again and trust that it all happens at the right time, that’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?