Integrity is honest, pure, sincere, good…

The opposite is deceit, dishonesty, disgrace.

I know which I’d rather be known for.

Integrity is knowing your worth. It’s not about being big headed, obnoxious or vain – it’s about having the quiet confidence of someone who understands who they are and more importantly, their value.

⭐️ When you have integrity you know you will do a good job, regardless of who notices.

⭐️ When you have integrity, you don’t make promises you won’t keep. If you say you will do something, you do it.

⭐️ When you have integrity you look after yourself because you understand that an empty cup cannot sustain anyone else.

⭐️ When you have integrity you treat others how you expect to be treated, but you also show  them how to treat you – you have boundaries, standards and expectations.

⭐️ When you have integrity you are not easily swayed, but listen to your internal compass, following the path that’s right for you despite what others may be doing.

⭐️ When you have integrity you don’t need to speak ill of anyone else because you can appreciate that everyone is on their own path and you are not in the habit of comparing yourself to others.

In the quest to be your own kind of beautiful having integrity is knowing how important you are.

And that is a beautiful thing.

🦄 Did you miss any of the previous posts in this series? If so, check out BE YOUR OWN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL, BRAVE, ENTHUSIASTIC, ACCEPTING, UNIQUE and TRUTHFUL.

True – adjective (real)

being what exists, rather than what was thought, intended or stated

What a fabulous definition!

Being what exists – who you are.

Not what you do or say you will do, intend to do someday…but who you are, right here, right now.

We all know people who aren’t truthful, exaggerate or embellish the truth. People who you don’t believe will do what they say they will. People you don’t believe are being truthful. People who stroke your ego maybe? Or just tell you exactly what you want to hear.

Sad but true.

These people may be genuinely nice people. But if you don’t believe what they’re saying to you, then you are not going to go to them when you need advice, an honest opinion or some support are you?

Likewise, we all have people whose opinions we trust. People you go to when you need an honest answer and know they will speak the truth even if it may not be what you want to hear.

Ask yourself, which category do you fall into? Being truthful is something you can change right now.

Decide to only speak the truth from now on.

⭐️ Being known for speaking the truth about others – don’t gossip or talk unkindly behind their backs.

⭐️ Be truthful about who you are – not what others think you should be but what sits in line with your values and beliefs.

⭐️ Be honest when talking about yourself – don’t exaggerate or embellish the truth to portray yourself as better than you are.

⭐️ Don’t make excuses – admit when your are wrong, own your faults and learn to move on.

⭐️ Let go of any lies you might have been telling yourself and embrace your life just as it is – the good, the bad and the ugly.

In the quest to be your own kind of beautiful – be true to yourself at all times and you will live a happier, more fulfilled life.

How true to yourself are you? Where can you improve upon this to ensure you are always being as honest as you can?

🦄 Did you miss any of the previous posts in this series? Check out BE YOUR OWN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL, BRAVE, ENTHUSIASTIC, ACCEPTING and UNIQUE.

 

The inspiration for this whole series came from one quote – “be your own kind of beautiful”.

Six words that summed up all I have learnt, reflected on and taught in the last few years since the death of my younger brother.

I have written before about how, after reaching a very low pint in my life I literally had to pick myself up from rock bottom and how I found my smile again.

Pressure from the media, our peers, society and ourselves has never been higher. We are bombarded by advertisements on how to be prettier, slimmer, happier, wealthier. Success is defined by many, many terms.

But what if you took a look at your life and created your own definition of what success means to you based on your uniqueness.

⭐️ Being authentic despite everyday pressures

⭐️ Doing what you love even if it’s not the norm, or popular

⭐️ Trusting your instinct and making the decisions that are best for you

⭐️ Dancing to the beat of your own drum

It’s a long journey, but if you want to live the most authentic life you can, you need to spend time getting to know yourself.

Find what makes you come alive; what makes you cross; what you need every day; how you want to be seen and what you believe in.

Find what makes you unique.

In the quest to be your own kind of beautiful – you need to be you! It’s what the world needs.

Reflect on where in your life you struggle to be yourself. Where do you feel you should not or could not stand out from the crowd? Why do you think this is? What can you do to change your mindset?

Remember, I think you are amazing just the way you are!

🦄 Did you miss any of the previous posts in this series? Check out BE YOUR OWN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL, BRAVE, ENTHUSIASTIC and ACCEPTING.

Accept where you are, what you have, what you can do.

It doesn’t mean you can be lazy or hold your hands up and say, “This is it”.

Acceptance requires strength, patience, stamina and orgaisation. 

We have all had times when things are not going our way or aren’t exactly how we would like them to be.

Worry, frustration, impatience and resentment can rise up and take over. These negative feelings can spiral out of control and the more you focus on them, the more you will find them in your current situation.

But what if you acknowledged where you are at and accepted it, as not your final destination, but simply where you are at the present moment?

⭐️ What if you accepted where you are until you could change it?

⭐️ What if you looked for what you can learn in your current situation?

⭐️ What if you made a plan detailing all the small steps needed to get you where you wanted?

⭐️ What if you stopped comparing yourself to others and looked to them for inspiration instead?

Give yourself a break.

In the quest to be your own kind of beautiful – true strength comes in the form of accepting where you are, whilst continually looking forward.

In what areas of your life do you need to practise a little acceptance? Reflect on why this may be and what small steps can you take to make improvements.

Above all – accept that you got this.

🦄 Did you miss any of the previous posts? Check out BE YOUR OWN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL, BRAVE and ENTHUSIASTIC.

Enthusiasm is easy…

…when you’re doing something you really love!

So, the key is to do more of the stuff you really enjoy doing. The stuff that puts a smile on your face, the stuff that makes your soul sing.

Say no to the things that you don’t want to do and yes to the things that add something extra into your day.

Don’t apologise – if something isn’t your thing and you really don’t want to do it, (and it’s not your job!) be honest and tell people. Then arrange to do something that you will both enjoy.

If you find it difficult to get excited by your job, adapt it the best way you can.

⭐️ Plan your responsibilities around ‘happiness breaks’.

⭐️ Create rituals for the everyday stuff to find some way to make it work for you and ensure you include little moments of excitement. For example, if I know I’ve got a long meeting ahead, I make sure I plan in a 5 minute break afterwards to have a nice hot chocolate – this simple act gives me something to focus on during a heavy couple of hours.

⭐️ Mix up your routines to keep your interest levels up.

⭐️ Pursue hobbies that you enjoy and look forward to after a day at work.

⭐️ Don’t be an ‘all rounder’ be specific at what you’re good at and do more of that!

In the quest to be your own kind of beautiful – you will achieve far more when you’re enthusiastic.

And in turn you will feel energised and happier at the end of the day.

Reflect on your enthusiasm levels throughout the day. Who, what and where do you get most of your energy from?

Then do more of the same!

🦄 Need to catch up? Check out BE YOUR OWN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL and yesterday’s post BRAVE.