Hello honey's,
I hope you all had a restful and fun Easter weekend and are not too sour grapes about getting back to work this week (yaaas for those like me who aren't)! One can often get carried away by all the 'fun' parts of Easter (Easter eggs, #hotcrossbuns <3, time off work/school etc) and forget the true reason for the season, so I hope you all took time to reflect, and realize just how blessed you all truly are.
Something that I've been thinking about a lot lately and that I touched on a bit in my previous post is the topic of confidence, mostly in teenagers and young women. I personally would consider myself a person who is fairly confident but like most teens and young women, I do have times when I feel crappy or sometimes let how others perceive me really affect how I feel about myself. These times never last forever though, and I am usually always able to pick myself up, give myself a talking-to and shake off the negativity. For those lovely ladies who need a little help, these are tips from one girl to another about how to get out of that personal funk:
Word of affirmation - And I'm sure you think I am referring to the ones that you heard about in Life Orientation or on Dr Phil referring to your 'Love Languages'? - wrong. Words of affirmation are encouraging and motivating words for individuals that lift them higher. I personally believe words of affirmation need to come from within. Tell yourself you're the best, tell yourself you look cute in that dress, tell yourself you did well in that test. Encouragement needs to come from within, and waiting to hear words of affirmation from other people will sometimes leave you disappointed and constantly feeling down because truth be told, not many people these days are always keen to give out compliments and would kill to see you fall. Don't give them the satisfaction. In the same way though, don't be conceited or narcissistic because no one likes that either. Give yourself props when props are due. Compliment ya damn self!
Don't like it? Change it! - One thing no one likes, is a complainer, whether its about school, your weight, your hair, your clothes, everyone hates it! It is always so easy to complain about all the things you don't like and 'can't change' and the really hard part is actually making the decision to change and stop just complaining about it. For the longest time all I would do is complain and never do anything (laziness was on fleek) about anything and this was so draining for me and the people around me. When you start to be about actions and less about words, you start to radiate positive energy and people love that!
Word of affirmation - And I'm sure you think I am referring to the ones that you heard about in Life Orientation or on Dr Phil referring to your 'Love Languages'? - wrong. Words of affirmation are encouraging and motivating words for individuals that lift them higher. I personally believe words of affirmation need to come from within. Tell yourself you're the best, tell yourself you look cute in that dress, tell yourself you did well in that test. Encouragement needs to come from within, and waiting to hear words of affirmation from other people will sometimes leave you disappointed and constantly feeling down because truth be told, not many people these days are always keen to give out compliments and would kill to see you fall. Don't give them the satisfaction. In the same way though, don't be conceited or narcissistic because no one likes that either. Give yourself props when props are due. Compliment ya damn self!
Don't like it? Change it! - One thing no one likes, is a complainer, whether its about school, your weight, your hair, your clothes, everyone hates it! It is always so easy to complain about all the things you don't like and 'can't change' and the really hard part is actually making the decision to change and stop just complaining about it. For the longest time all I would do is complain and never do anything (laziness was on fleek) about anything and this was so draining for me and the people around me. When you start to be about actions and less about words, you start to radiate positive energy and people love that!
Remember > you're the bomb - Often we get so caught up in the hype of other people that are better, skinnier, prettier, smarter than us and forget how much we have to offer. Of course we can't excel and be the best at everything, but one thing you can always be the best at is being YOU. We all have unique talents and gifts that God has graced us with and just because you didn't get the highest mark, didn't look the best at that party, win first place in that race, it doesn't make you any less fab and any less of a person. We are all equals, and we are all equally amay-may! ALWAYS believe in what you have to offer the world, because you have plenty!
