It has been a big year. If I could use one word to describe my state at the end of 2013 it would be: Broken. 2014 was going to be the year for healing. To pick up and mend all the broken pieces, find myself, build my self-confidence and to keep these 3 things in mind:
- Continue to do what I love
- Strive for a healthy balance
- Keep perspective
Whilst I sometimes still struggle with number two, all in all I managed to stay true to the above in 2014.
This past year has been full of amazing things that I’m so very grateful for. From buying my first property (it’s modest but it’s MINE!) to falling in love – the past year has been nothing short of extraordinary. I’ve continued on my photography journey, worked hard and met some incredible people along the way. I surrounded myself with good friends, attended workshops, indulged in travel, danced my little feet off at music festivals – and it was just what I needed to get myself back on track. With each passing day, I made mindful decisions to work towards a life that I love. Without even realising it, I was self-healing and over time I felt whole again. Here are the things I’ve learned along the way:
1. You are the master of your own destiny
Gosh that sounds so cheesy but it’s true. Only you can know what will truly make you happy and nothing happens until you commit to making it happen. Not just thinking about it or talking about it, but actually taking tangible steps towards your end goal.
2. Let go of negativity
Don’t hold onto anything or surround yourself with people that bring negativity into your life. Let go of those feelings, thoughts, situations and people that aren’t good for you or bring you down – especially if it’s something that you have no control over. Focus on the positives in your life and if something is not adding positive value then get rid of it.
3. Simplify
I’ve always been a hoarder – it doesn’t help that I attach sentiment to everything. Since having to pack up my life to move into my new flat, I became overwhelmed with all the things that I’ve accumulated. And so I made a commitment to simplify. I periodically went on culling sprees, ridding my life of all the unnecessary things that were cluttering my life and boy did it feel good. In the same way that your body doesn’t function at it’s best if it is filled with junk, the same goes with life in general. Get rid of it all – detox!! Throw out (or if you can, donate) anything you haven’t used, touched or worn in the last 1-2 years. You wont regret it, I promise.
4. Love yourself first
It’s really important that you are comfortable with who you are and love yourself as an individual before inviting someone else into your life. When you have your life together, when you’re happy with where you are at and proud and confident of the person you are, you will exude a glow that will attract others like moths to a flame. Having a strong sense of self-worth is important because what you put up with and tolerate is only a reflection of your self-worth. Know that you are worthy of all the love you desire and don’t settle for anything less.
5. Love at first sight is a real thing (and happens when you least expect it)
Yet again, another cheesy headline but this year I’ve found the truth in it. I hear it all the time – ‘When you know, you know’ and I never believed it in before. I guess it’s hard to unless it’s happened to you. I was at a point in my life where the last thing I was looking for was a relationship. It was time to focus on me, to keep doing things that made me happy and to focus on my business. Then unexpectedly I met someone and from the moment we met there was this undeniable connection and we just knew. I still feel like an idiot talking about it but I do feel ridiculously blessed to have so much love in my life and truly happy to have found someone so amazing to share life with.
6. Without darkness there is no light (and vice versa)
Life is hard. There will be lows and dark times. Some times there will be anger, disappointment or heartbreak. But without that we would never truly appreciate the good times. The good news is that we are built to be resilient – to fight the pain and survive through the tough times so that we can bask in the light of the good times. In those times of darkness, surround yourself with people that you love and trust, focus on the positives in your life and your good friend ‘time’ will help you along. The light at the end of the tunnel is never as far as we think it is.
2014, you have been good to me. I have found the light after the dark and I’m planning to bask in it for a little while longer.
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