Happy True You!

Well Hellooooooooo 2020! Happy New Year!

If you are feeling motivated, energized, excited and focused for the year ahead - GO YOU!!!!

If you are feeling demotivated, overwhelmed and a bit discombobulated then take comfort in the knowledge that you are not alone and are amongst thousands of others who feel the same. – and that’s OK.

For some (myself included) a new year brings with it a host of new and old emotions.

The pressure to perform 'one’s best', the pressure to conform 'like the rest' and a new year which entitles you to a 'clean slate' where you erase the 'failings' of the previous year and relish in those

'New Year, New You' vibes. Is It any wonder that many of us are scared with the weight of expectation?

Whilst new year’s resolutions work for some, they most definitely do not work for me. In the past, I've always set them from a place of frustration e.g. 'I must lose weight this year'. Because we all know that your worth is attached to how much you weigh right? And once you lose weight you automatically enter this new realm where you become more attractive, sexier, more confident with a sense of humour which is off the chart. And that job or promotion you desperately wanted at work? Well now you've dropped 10lbs you can safely say “it's in the bag”! OK, I am being sarcastic and slightly facetious now – but we all know our self-worth is not based on a number, your job, salary, social media following, age, appearance, opinion of others, number of friends you have, relationship status. etc etc. The bottom line is your worth is entirely up to you. To be crystal clear I am not anti weight loss. You know your body better than anyone and should you need or want to lose weight to become healthier, happier and to improve the quality of your life then go forth and conquer (and I'm here cheering loudly for you every step of the way). Just make a promise not to short change yourself. Invest in the time to learn about nutrition, learn how to be more aware of what you put in your body and how it makes you feel. Speak to people qualified in the field or refer to reputable resources. But also be mindful that the topic of weight loss and nutrition can be a mind-field with a lot of bias and conflicting advice. Food is here for our survival and for us to enjoy. It's not about placing restrictions on ourselves. It's not about feeling hungry or deprived. It's about nourishing our bodies with real wholesome food so that you are constantly satisfied and energized to live life to the fullest. The most important a weight you need to shed is the one parked heavily on your shoulders screaming 'I'm not good enough'.  Look within (such an 'airy, fairy saying but it's true!) and trust that you are enough. And if you are not quite there yet, don't panic. Start making yourself and your mental health a priority. Treat yourself with patience, compassion and kindness and over time you will start to build those blocks of self-esteem which will eventually become your self made fortress of confidence and resilience.

If I offered you £10 would you take it? How about if I crumpled it up? Stepped on it? You would probably take it even though it was crumpled and stepped on it. Do you know why?
Because it is still £10, and its worth has not changed.
The same goes for you; if you have a bad day, or if something bad happens to you, you are not worthless. If someone crumples you up or steps on you, your worth does not change. You are still just as valuable as you were before.

This year I would like to get to know more people. Whether that be it on a friendship or professional level. And I don't just mean through social media. I want to physically connect and meet new people, hear new stories and create new relationships. I going to take this year to really get to know myself. To unapologetically stay TRUE to me. Ralph Waldo Emerson put it best:

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment”

Let's face it; pretending to be someone you're not is one of the most disturbing experiences in the world. In a world that is constantly sending us both subliminal and blatant messages about how we should look, what we should think, how we should feel – it takes courage to grow and become exactly who you’ve always wanted to be. For me, it's all about taking responsibility of my own happiness. Think about this question: are other people responsible for making you happy, or are you responsible of your happiness? When we aren't being true to ourselves we tend to let others (or fate) take hold of our lives. Don't be a bystander: take your life by the horns and reclaim the reigns. No one is responsible for your life but you. No one is responsible for making you feel fulfilled but you!

“Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself” - Richard Bach

But also don't forget to laugh and be playful. Laughter is a great medicine. When you stop taking yourself so seriously, you can enjoy the dance of life just as it is. So don't forget to enjoy the ride. Because nobody knows when it will be our time to get off.

Whatever your personal goals, resolutions or aspirations are for 2020, I wish you all a healthy, fun and most of all a happy True you!

Much love

Pam xx