Hey Girl,
Today we'll talk about honoring yourself.
So much is in trend nowadays, everyone is up to woman empowerment, and self love.
I want to start by asking you to look deeper within you,
and think when was the last time you have honored yourself.
(you can write this down
I wait....)
I want to share with you a bit about my story, so I'll jump into the vulnerable zone and will be raw and with no filters.
I remember waking up early and going to work,
wanting to achieve greatness,
An ambitious girl with an outstanding work ethic,
because that's whom I decided I was.
I overworked because "I loved it"
I would have "fun", going out, drinking, smoking because "I deserved to have fun as I work so hard".
I was free of debt that I was left with, and I have had managed to pay all off "due to my hard work".
So I used work as a distraction, to the mind, body and spirit...
It was too hard to accept the truth,
To embrace how I was feeling and so I brushed it off,
"Life goes on..." I used to say
and instead of dealing with any issue I pretended it didn't happen...
It was less painful I guess.
Meanwhile...
I stopped doing all the things I once loved doing.
- listening to music
- dancing...
- I couldn't write...I was blocked,
I used to sit down and not a word would come...
But, I looked nice,
I felt good, special, and comfortable with my own company.
I was a single mother with a good job
a good life
and added another challenge: university.
The more I did, the more I wanted to do.
Call it drive, I am "the most driven and determined human" some say...
After I have added more and more to my plate,
someone asked
"What more do you want?, what are you searching for?"
It was then that I have stopped
Was I honoring myself?
I had to analyse my actions, and the meaning behind them!
After extensive debates about this subject
and an intensive work around limiting beliefs
I have learned that this was a defense mechanism
A sort of shield I created around myself
so that I could "be" (feel) safe.
It was too hard to admit that maybe my so perfect life was full of flaws, pain, tears and sorrow, because I was meant to be strong and handle it well right?
First Small steps to start honoring yourself
Even thought that was just part of being a human and this was the first step to start honoring myself.
The second was to Focus on myself
- I started self development, devoted time to myself daily, to learn and grow spiritually
- I reduced time online, free from the web and social sites
- I read and journal
The Third (but first) and life changing was
Mastered Gratitude
- I learned to forgive others, myself and situations.
- I start respecting, observing and embracing my emotions, feelings and act accordingly to my beliefs.
Cleansed my home, habits and people, and grew in solitude
- being alone, away from everyone was the most powerful change within me.
- Toxic people, situations and cycles have faded away
The transformational journey
Learned to say NO to what not longer serves
I have had to give up on things that though my heart wanted I had to let go, to become whom I am today.
I had to make difficult choices, that many would not understand,
to be in alignment with my growth
and spiritually connected with my true being.
I grew in confidence, gained many strong skills, have let go of burdens of the past, and of a sad hole that was living rent free inside me, fears, insecurities and the feeling of not being worth or good enough.
Started seeing myself as I really am, accepting all of me, embracing every part of my body, spirit and soul.
Knowing that To be loved and accepted I DO NOT need to use make up, and dress up accordingly to what is in trend...
If I am about promoting being Natural so I had to be totally comfortable with being myself, raw and unfiltered.
And to finalize I want to let you know,
that as dark the path might seem,
as difficult the obstacle may appear,
and as tough the breakthrough may feel, it is POSSIBLE.
And the other side is so close you can't even try to imagine, all you need is a foundation BELIEF, STRENGTH and COURAGE.
Let go of the fear.
I wish you take a leap of faith and believe in yourself today.
With Love Nadinha x