Life is like photography - you need the negatives to develop.
Love this! Our challenges, trials, difficulties, struggles, times of waiting, heartbreak... All time take to develop into something beautiful... Character, strength, perspective, new beginnings.
But at the time, they can seem clouded in darkness, empty, no meaning, no light, hopeless, ruined... Just like a blank photo that the negatives haven't yet been developed.
BUT once those negatives have been developed (in darkness) they produce such incredible pictures of beauty... Just like you and me.
So yes! These challenging times are hard, but keep pressing through because what you can create out of it, can be the most beautiful picture of all.
TIPS during these times... keep looking for the light in your circumstances / life (what are you thankful for, what makes you happy - search for these things). Ask yourself, what can I learn through this? Who can I encourage today (it's incredible how taking our focus off our own situation and uplifting someone else can bring such freedom to us). Write down your reflections from the day, what could you do tomorrow to change just one thing? Talk to someone you trust / seek help. Remember that no matter what you're facing, you are more than enough! xx
How Full is Your Emotional Tank?
How full is your tank? There are so many things that can drain AND refill our emotional tanks. It's really important that we know what does what, and do more of the things that REFILLS our tanks, especially when we feel empty.
What energizes you? Refreshes you? Boosts your confidence? Helps you feel happy, content, peaceful, loved?
What drains you? Leaves you flat, unmotivated, disappointed, empty, discouraged, exhausted, on edge, overwhelmed, stressed out?
Here are 3 things you can do TODAY to FILL YOUR TANK: • TIME OUT - rest, relax, step back from busyness, stop and breathe, recharge.
E.g. Sit and listen to music, practice mindfulness, have a bubble bath, pray, get even just a few minutes on your own, colour in, go for a walk. • ENJOYMENT - do things you love, recreational activities, fun, favourite hobbies, adventures. Include laughing as much as possible - so good for your mind and body.
E.g. Get out in nature, bake, get creative, read, play board games, dive into a new activity, do sports, hang out with friends. • BE THANKFUL - stop and list of all the things you're thankful for. Say them aloud for an even bigger impact.
What can you do today to fill your emotional tank? Let's go into the week FULL!! Share your ideas with us to encourage others x
Be Different... Be Bold
What change can we make if we are just imitating everything around us.
It takes courage and strength to be the difference, to take a stand, to go against the crowd.
But here's the good news: • You have more courage and strength than you know • You will find such satisfaction and purpose when you choose to be your REAL self, and not blend in to the world • Then without even knowing it - you are influencing others, bringing freedom, hope and courage by simply being YOU.
Boldness comes with a price, but it also comes with a prize.
Be the difference you want to see. It all starts with us.
What can you do today to be a little different to the world and a little more like you? x
Take Your Body to the Beach!
"Your Best Body Yet!" "Are You Ready to Hit the Beach?"
"Tight and Toned For Summer!" These sorts of magazine article are EVERYWHERE now its warming up for summer; making us feel like we have to have our "super-lean-beach-body passes" ready before we can hit the sand.
When did how we look become a factor in how much we enjoy the beach?
Does a flat tummy make the water any cooler? Or a thigh gap make the sun any warmer?
Instead we should be thankful we even have beautiful beaches we can go to, with bodies that have strong healthy arms and legs to swim with! x
Owning Your Story
Each of us has a story. Unique and powerful.
But are you running from your story, trying to escape its pages from turning on you, feeling trapped under the heavy text that seems to follow you wherever you go, trying to hide it's contents, erase it's headings, stuff the scenes away in your pockets?
Your story was written with purpose. Not to be discarded, but to be treasured.
Those ripped edges, scuffed marks, missing pages, smudged text, torn covers... They do not make the story broken and worthless, but usually show one that is so loved and cherished.
Owning our stories and pasts can be hard, but it is the needed step to claim our future.
Your story has shaped who you are, it is part of you, it gives you those beautiful rays of colours and light that no one else has. It gives you insight like no one else has.
You may have felt like your story has been writing your life. But no more, own it and start writing your own ending - one that gives your freedom, hope and courage.
Quick tips to own your story - list what you have learnt from it, list how it has shaped you, see what meaning you have given to your story (is it correct?), SHARE YOUR STORY (one of the most powerful ways to own it!). You can create any future you desire. It starts with owning your story and putting the past in the past so your future is free for you to create endless possibilities!
It's your choice. We're standing with you! You have always been and will always be more than enough xx
Self Talk
Your S E L F T A L K matters and can shape your life.
Are you speaking worth, value, kindness, grace, acceptance, love, understanding, caring, encouragement over your life << OR >> being harsh to yourself, unforgiving, demanding, unkind, unrealistic, pressured.
Self talk check up - today, notice how you speak to yourself (or think) when good things happen, challenges arise, mistakes are made etc... How do you speak to yourself? Like a loved one or enemy?
Self talk booster - come up with a positive statement and repeat it over your life at least 7 times throughout the day.
E.g. I am capable and strong. I am valuable wherever I go. I have so much to offer and can bring joy to others. I am loved, I belong, and I am enough. I've got this. I am beautiful... Whatever speak to you. Repeat repeat repeat x
What Does Choosing Real Look Like for You?
We could challenge you to Choose REAL today and act on it.
But being real can take time to figure out what that means for you.
So instead, we challenge you to think about what choosing REAL looks like for you?
What are you passionate about?
What makes you happy?
Who do you admire?
What do you think your strengths/weaknesses are?
When do you feel most free?
Just this morning, let's take a couple minutes to think about it.
We promise it'll be a great start to a journey of loving and trusting yourself! x
Your Worth
Your worth cannot be measured, it is infinite. Your worth cannot be removed, it is intrinsic. Your worth cannot be lost, it is always within - no matter what has happened, what you did, what they did, what you have or don't have, the path you took, the things that were said. You always have worth, and you are more than enough, just as you are!
Will you stand with us? We want to see a shift in our culture of girls (and everyone) embracing and celebrating their REAL identity and value, and living the life they CHOOSE.
Together, let's share the truth that WE ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH, just as we are.
Be You
Be Brave . Be YOU . Be Free.
Today, BE BRAVE by stepping out of the unrealistic expectations of others, the pressures to be what other people want, to prove ourselves.
And just BE YOU. Be real (whatever that means for you), celebrate your unique qualities, embrace your imperfections, be true to your own values and interests, be whoever YOU want to be.
And BE FREE! Free of comparison, striving, people-pleasing. Free to dream again, to do what you really love, to give generously, share authentically, encourage others in their journey.
You've totally got this! It doesn't matter if you don't get it all right, one step in this direction is a big win! What can you do today to be a little braver, a little more of you, and a little freer? One step x
Be Real
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest achievement" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
It's hard to be REAL in a culture that is constantly dictating how we should look, act and live in order to be enough, so often stripping us of our worth and value... BUT it is even harder to live as someone else, to not be free to express who we really are, to hide our true selves, to wish away our identity, to let others determine our worth and value.
Choosing to be REAL each day, yes can be a challenge, but also has the greatest reward.
Remember today, that if you are choosing to be REAL, it is a battle we're fighting, so it's ok when we stumble and fall, just dust yourself off and try again. A battle worth fighting and definitely worth celebrating! You've got this!
Shout outs to everyone choosing REAL - what an incredible, life-giving achievement! x
Perspective & Focus
It's all about choice and perspective / focus.
You choose the attitude you bring into the day. You choose how you want to respond to challenges. You choose what you want to focus on. You choose what you believe about yourself. You choose how you see things. YOU CHOOSE.
It's so easy for us to get so focused on the what we don't have, or what's not happening for us, or all the trouble that is happening, but we can choose to create amazing change in our lives.
5 TIPS TO MAKE TODAY RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING:
1. Choose to be THANKFUL - for your life and everything going on (there is purpose in it all). Even stop every hour and think of something you're thankful for - great perspective changer!
2. Choose to see CHALLENGES AS OPPORTUNITIES - to grow, discover something new, strengthen, create a foundation for your purpose, kick a goal.
3. Choose what you FOCUS on. Focus on having an amazing day, on finding joy, on looking for the blessings, on what energizes you.
4. Choose to BELIEVE and LIVE LIKE you are more than enough. Choose to be your REAL self.
5. Choose to HAVE FUN. Do something that you love today.
Enjoy!! We'd love to hear what you do to make your day ridiculously amazing! x
What Will You Choose Today?
What are you going to choose today? It's all up to you. . "So often we overestimate the control we have and underestimate the choice we have.... We rarely have control (of our circumstances, how others treat us etc) but we ALWAYS HAVE CHOICE." .
That is the one power that can't be taken. We can choose what attitude we will have, how we are going to view our current circumstances (the meaning we give it, the perspective we choose to have, the goals we make in it), how we treat ourselves and others. WE HAVE CHOICE. .
What do you choose today? You have the power.
Today we choose to see ourselves and everyone around us as completely more than enough, just as we are.
