The Daily Authentic

Sometimes we all need a weekend away!

When life gives you free lemons…

The best stuff to gift is things you have made

If you are just going through the motions of life from one day to the next, and don’t have a sense of purpose, fulfilment or joy I say that’s existence.

You aren’t taking risks, learning new things, experiencing wonder or embracing your passions. There is so much you are missing out on!

Living is the opposite of this. Living is feeling alive, actively experiencing your life and not watching it just go past you.

Living is learning, spending quality time, being present and attentive, making the most out of each moment, finding joy in the small things and being in control of your life.

I know that sometimes it’s hard to think this is possible but let me assure you, it totally is!

I have a completely different perspective on life now than I had 5 years ago. Things have changed, I have changed, my mindset, my thoughts and my attitude have changed.

I figured out what was really important to me and I started moving towards it.

It’s not easy. It’s not without pain. It’s not going to happen overnight, but it’s a damn sight better than being miserable and watching your life go by.

You are in the drivers seat remember? You call the shots! Start living, not existing… you won’t regret it.

Today I am saying goodbye to a special friend.

Someone who has served me well for over 20 years. Worked with me, supported me, made me look good. My favourite old pair of gym tights 🏋️

Truly, I didn’t want too. These tights are SO comfy. They cost next to nothing, and they lasted so long. I’m not exactly a fan of people being able to see my bum in public though, so...out they must go.

It feels like something important is being reefed away and I’m scared to let go. Even though I have other pairs of comfy tights...they are not the same as THESE comfy tights. Not better, not worse, just different.

Sometimes it’s hard to let go of things in life. It’s much easier to stay in the comfort zone - protected from what might make us feel uncomfortable or anxious. That’s no way to live though. Your comfort zone is just survival.

Letting go of what no longer serves you (emotions, thoughts, resentment...even old tights) gives you mental space to see more positives. To accept things for what they are and move forward without worry or anxiety.

Of course, it also means I can go and get some new tights...right?

You don’t need everyone to love you. Just a few good people.

Find them and keep them close. They will help you transform.

Confidence, to me, comes from two places:

1. Internally, meaning you are willing & able to try new things (even if they don’t always work out the way you think they will) and;

2. Externally, by noticing or acknowledging when those new things have worked out well, which then gives you more internal confidence to try something else.

It’s kind of like the snowball rolling down the hill analogy. The more it rolls, the faster it goes and the bigger it gets.

For Example: My 12yr old has been dancing for just over a year. Loves it. Not the best dancer ever, but always happy to put herself in situations that challenge her, even though she may not realise that’s what she is doing. As a new yr. 7 student, she entered the talent show and danced solo in front of the whole school. She was a bit upset, forgot her moves and had to make up a few things on the spot, however had enough positive feedback to want to go and try something similar again.

So, the next week she comes to me and tells me she wants to enter a choreographic comp with entrants from across the city, in front of a judging panel, all by herself.

Even though that school performance wasn’t her best, seeing the positives has allowed her to go and try something else, a little bit more outside of her comfort zone.

I’m personally super proud, as she is learning to build her own confidence.

I am always interested in why people do things, think things or make the decisions they do. Probably should have been a psychologist.

In any case, I am not, and thankfully there are some really great ones out there who have the ability to explain things in a very simple, non-sciency way for regular people to understand and have that “OMG...that’s me!” moment, which can be really bloody useful when you are trying to work out WTF is going in your life.

is one of those people. Can’t actually remember where I first heard of her or her book (probably from another book😂), and now I’m finished it I can honestly say it’s probably one of the best books I have read in a very long time. It’s got lots of very useful info which you can flip back to and read-read like a bit of a toolbox when you are searching for info, or skills to help you with a particular life or behavioural issue.

It’s damn good, go and read it!

How often do you spend doing stuff you love? 🥰

I love creating. Making things. Mostly edible, useful or just pretty things.

This is my latest me time activity. Soap making! 🧼

Say hello to coconut and coffee. Not too hard to do, smells AMAZING and is so extremely exfoliating my skin is as smooth as a baby’s bum! 😂

I’m on a mission to spend more time doing things I love. It’s really important to not forget about yourself in the midst of the crazy….life is not a dress rehearsal!

You like doing stuff too right? So what are you waiting for? Get to it! 👍

It’s a fact that making food makes me happy.

We all need to remember that it’s the small things in life that bring us happiness.. we just need to create more of them.

If you agree, turn on your air fryer, toss some sliced halloumi in polenta and cook for 15 mins. Dip in some pizza sauce and hey presto…happiness!

Do you ever have that moment when you are so far through something you can’t go back and you are forced to get creative?

Yep.

That was me today. Thankfully I’m the type who has lots of random stuff in her kitchen drawers…