Here’s a round up of all the small stuff that made my week a little better.
Have a great week people, keep the balance if you’re back at work.
Remember to smile – at the very least, it makes people wonder what you’re up to!
Hugs
Nicky xo
There’s something so beautiful about a flower when I look at it through a camera lens that I can’t help but smile.
“Bloom, in your own space and at your own pace”
I said that
Flowers don’t concern themselves with what every other plant in the garden is doing. They do what they do best and bloom where planted.
Starting to live a more authentic life can be daunting. It’s about assessing which elements of your life no longer serve you or fit in with who you are becoming. You can feel lonely, even misunderstood or struggle to fit in where you once belonged. You may even encounter resistance from people who don’t want you to change.
If you’re wondering if it’s all worth it, here are 3 thoughts to keep you motivated and reassure you that any path that takes you closer towards the best version of yourself is one that’s worth walking down.
Be who you are. Stand out, grow tall, bloom. Be there as the truest version of yourself, not pretending or trying to be like anyone else. Be extraordinary, whatever your role – be great at it. Put effort into all you do, even if no one is watching. Commend yourself on a job well done and remember to love yourself in all your uniqueness.
Wherever you are – be amazing. Claim your space. Your home, your work, your ideas. Don’t be concerned with what others are doing alongside of you. Focus on you and your little piece of the world. Make it work for you. Make it beautiful, fill it with things that inspire you, make you smile. Surround yourself with like minded people. Find your tribe, people who have great energy, who are great to be around.
Keep growing, always moving closer to your goals. Your journey is unique to you. Don’t be concerned with what anyone else is doing or how they’re doing it. Don’t compare yourself to someone else. Don’t run before you can walk but also don’t focus on the finish line. The learning is in the journey. The path may not be straight and have boulders in the way, but it will be worth it. Change happens slowly and one step at a time. Keep going.
One last point, do it. Do it now. Nothing lasts forever.
I get excited at the prospect of a new day – fresh, clean, untouched yet by misery and full of promise. Often, we plod through the day on auto pilot not noticing the magic nor enjoying the marvel that is. Too frequently we get caught up in the mundane and forget to be grateful for what we have.
Here are my top 3 ways to ensure you get the most out of your 24 hours:
What is it telling you? Do you need a day of hard work and focus, to get stuff done or do you need to unplug and relax?
Whether you want a day to yourself, a day to connect (or reconnect) with friends and family, a day spent clearing your to-do list or some time fully emerged in projects to stay ahead of the game. Listen to what your body is saying it wants to do. If your days are free, great – carve out some time to do what you need. However, if you have commitments – start with just an hour. It’s so easy to get caught up in the rat race, to lose track of what we want to do because we’re so focused on what we think we need to do.
I was lucky enough recently to have a whole day to myself – and it was just what I needed. I was feeling burnt out and needed some quiet time to clear my head. I decided to spend it doing lots of little things just for me – mini spa treatments in my bathroom, healthy lunch, a leisurely walk, bought myself flowers, drank wine while I read…you get the idea. I listened to my body and knew I needed some down time, time spent in the present not focusing on the past or worrying about things yet to come.
Action: Give yourself the gift of time.
Decide what needs to be accomplished and write it down, preferably the night before. List your priorities. I’m a lover of lists (in case you didn’t know) as you don’t have to hold all that extra information in your brain once it’s on the paper.
Set your intentions for the day and decide how you are going to spend your time. Break large jobs up into smaller tasks and have regular breaks. Going for a short walk, drinking water, being distracted for 10 minutes can aid increased focus and clearer thinking. Reward yourself – complete a monotonous or difficult task first, then do something a little more fun, creative or easy. Don’t focus on all you have yet to complete – just the things you are getting done. Sometimes things don’t go to plan and we have to exercise our flexibility bone – hey it happens to the best of us. Let go, move on and congratulate yourself on the things you did do – amazingly, I’m sure.
Action: Plan for what you would like to accomplish today
It’s a new start, a clean slate, 24 hours of brand spanking newness.
Don’t ponder on yesterday. That’s over. Look forward with anticipation at what the day may bring. Start the day believing it could be great, with your glass half full, that the universe is working with you not against you.
When the sun shines, I always feel the day seems to have a lightness about it. This in turn seems to encourage a lightness in my heart as if the rays from the sun are pouring their warmth and love into all things living, creating a day filled with positvity and happiness. People seem happier, they comment on the weather and how much nicer it is when the sun’s out.
What if you could recreate this feeling just by choosing to make it so? To look for the magic in the new day, the friendly faces, to see the good stuff, the endless possibilities, the lessons to be learned, opportunities to be had, new memories to be made? What if you showed up today expecting the day to be amazing and focused on the potential it could hold?
Action: Be open to the possibilities of having a fabulous day
We all have the same 24 hours in a day (except Beyonce, obviously) – how we view them though is unique to us. Make it work for you, be productive, have some fun, find the balance.
Every. Single. Day.
Here’s a round up of all the sunny little things from my wonderful week.
It has been a week of self love and little treats – all in the name of making me smile.
Have a fabulous week,
Nicky
xoxo
Now, I’m not camera shy however I’m not particularly au fait with selfies!
After my first day I thought about throwing in the towel. It was harder than I thought it would be and I realised a few things about myself.
I’m uncomfortable with being the centre of attention – I didn’t like being the only object in the picture (although, see if you can spot the photo of my brother sneaking in there!)
I’m a little vain – I only took one picture of myself with no make up and I had to force myself to post it!
Taking selfies is harder than it looks – Some days I took many, many photos before I was happy – who knew natural light was so important!
I’m uncomfortable letting the world in – showing parts of my home left me feeling vulnerable.
I experience a plethora of emotions each morning – I really do!
Completing a project is great for your self esteem – I was really chuffed with myself for finishing it.
A challenge is only scary the first time you do it – I actually feel okay about selfies now.
Some of the photographs are blurry, off centre slightly, and the lighting is a bit hit and miss. But they’re all me. Real and in the flesh. Authentic, unaltered and original. This experience was good for me. It challenged me, taught me and helped me.
What will take you outside your comfort zone?
You may be surprised at what you learn – about your fears, your limits, about yourself.
Go for it!
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The Shimmer Within Her 