When your baby is born you count their fingers and toes. You stare at their perfection for hours on end. Lying under the unexplainable weight of a sleeping 3mnth old you enjoy that feeling of sinking beneath the trust and love that they embody. We become fully tuned in to that new presence, that new life. A pure, mindful moment.
There is something about being in your 40’s that seems to make the clock tick faster. Instead of going down a rabbit hole of identifying all the parts of me that don’t look the way they used to I’ve decided to do something constructive! I’m going to work on my bucket list goals!
When you consider how to start on your self improvement journey I recommend starting with journaling. I believe in the incredible power of journaling to change our mindset, our point of view and our sense of self. That’s a big statement, I know, but I really believe it.
I’ve been thinking about my boundaries lately. This isn’t something I’ve given much thought to if I’m honest. I have been ‘Mum’ for almost 13yrs now and with that comes a lot of blurred lines! There was more Mum than Stephanie for many years. It is only recently that I began to realize that these blurred lines exist, and that they can be damaging. Defining my boundaries has been the starting point for my entire Personal Growth journey.
It’s the old ‘Self-Care isn’t Selfish’ scenario. We lose sight of our own well-being because we are too busy being the perfect Mum. Waking up to the reality that we aren’t doing ourselves any favours is the turning point. You start to set up your boundaries because you understand that they are friends, not foes.
I am no Eco Warrior but there are ways that we all can make a difference, so when I come across companies like the ones I’ve listed below that are eco friendly brands, I really want to support them. The waste that we go through just in my little family is quite simply heartbreaking, so finding plastic free products is a win! Then you get the companies that make an effort to put clean, natural ingredients into their products instead of chemicals the average person doesn’t even understand! I want to support them the way that they are supporting us and our planet. So, with that said, here are just a few of the brands that I love and use every day that deserve a mention.
Ethique is a New Zealand company dedicated to making a difference in the cosmetic industry. All their products are plastic free and so is their shipping! They are an eco friendly brand all the way!
Ethique are focused on sustainability and their ingredients are cruelty free, vegan, palm oil free. On top of all of this they donate 20% of their profits to charity. Definitely a company I am happy to support! Oh, and did I mention their products are amazing too! With a great range for face, body and hair, all in bar format. They have great natural fragrances too, which I love.
I’ve created a few vision boards over the years. I find them so inspiring and the whole process is charged with positive energy. Whether you believe in the power of vision boards or not doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you find a way to believe in yourself, in your dreams and in your future successes. And, find a way to get yourself into a positive frame of mind! Mindset is everything! Use your Vision Board as a tool to motivate you.
For me Summer is all about family, the great outdoors, relaxation and, because I’m in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas! Down here we strangely dress Santa in swimming trunks, stick sunglasses on him and then still have him climbing down chimneys in a velvet suit! Lol! Some traditions are so endearing you will hold on to them for all you’re worth! Summer is also about sharing, friendship, sunlight and sunburn! It is a great big melting pot of deliciously enjoyable moments, AND deliciously enjoyable foods! From picnics on the beach to roasts on the Christmas table, this is a season of indulgence. And these are just the start of why I love Summer, so let’s get into it!
There is a vast difference between being alone and being lonely. Loneliness is a feeling of separateness, a feeling of emptiness that can be overwhelming. Being alone doesn’t need to feel like this. In fact, being alone should be a time to reconnect with yourself and reassess your priorities. A time spent entirely on your own life questions, goals and aspirations.
For me there are layers of self-care that make up a good day. On the top of the list of self-care ideas is sleep. It all starts with good sleep! So, a good bed and a good headspace is your foundation for your day. If you wake up feeling grumpy you’re off to a bad start. If you wake up feeling rested you’re doing well. So, make sure you’ve ticked all your sleepy time boxes the night before. Have a relaxing shower before bed, make sure you’re snug and comfy, wear your favourite pj’s and don’t drink caffeine too close to bedtime. For me these are the best tips for getting a good nights sleep, and staying sane, because without sleep we are basically useless!
Mindset can make or break a day. I like to ease into my day. It starts me off in the right mindset. Hitting snooze repeatedly and dragging yourself out of bed is a sure fire way to a bad day. Give yourself time to ease into it. Take the time to sit in bed with a cup of coffee and a good book. If you have kids, this is the best time to just be quiet. I love this time, when all I can hear is the birds singing outside. It is peaceful and my quality ‘me time’.
The next thing I do is set my intentions for the day. This follows on from choosing your mindset. Setting your intention is like making a decision to be happy. It’s a conscious choice when you wake up in the morning to say thank you for being alive and well. Wriggle your toes, stretch out your limbs and remember the blessing of a new day. Set an intention to have a productive day, a joyful day, a healthy day etc. When you step into your day making a conscious choice you are much more likely to achieve your goal.
Next, let’s look at the resources and products that I use to set up my self-care routine.
Everything You Need T-Shirt $24.10 – $44.14
Dress Yourself In Love T-Shirt $24.10 – $44.14
Self Love Wall Art $17.70 – $20.66