Sorry to break it to you but you literally have to face your fears and slaughter them. Otherwise you will live a small life that you do not want. You literally have to view your biggest fears and attack them head on. You have to fall into the abyss to find your way out. The easy path does not exist. There is no get out of jail free card. You have to allow yourself to die a spiritual death over and over again in order to reinvent yourself into the person you are actually supposed to be. And you have to be painfully honest with yourself and the people around you. It’s horrible but it’s truly the only way.
Every day isn’t easy, remember that self love isn’t an overnight thing. It takes time, and work. Be patient with yourself, and go with the flow learning about who you are. Your time will come to flourish and be your best self, every journey goes at a different pace. And remember that self love has a different meaning for everyone, what works for some, may not work for others.
Your Self Image
It all starts with how you view your own self, and value your own worth. Because when you start to love yourself, and value who you are, your whole life changes. Such as the people around you, your mentality, your appearance, your successes, etc. So change the way you think, and talk about yourself into a more positive tone. Avoid doubts, or toxic self talk.
Deep Inner Work.
Shadow work is highly important. We get to know ourselves on a deeper level, and learn about what we need to do to become high vibrational beings. It’s important to work on the deeper layers of our minds, where we hide all unresolved fears, blockages, wounds, and traumas. Shadow work is important for our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Explore what is holding you back.
Having low self esteem is often the result of false and unrealistic thoughts that are deeply within our minds. Such as assumptions, beliefs, comparisons, doubts, expectations towards ourselves and others. Learn about what is holding you back, and what needs to be done in order to break the bad habits/behaviours. Dissociate yourself from everything, and anyone that brings these emotions forward.
Be comfortable in your own solitude.
Every day make time for yourself to rewind, relax and reflect alone. Being alone gives us time to think, work out problems, reflect on our goals, express gratitude for our gifts and blessings, and helps us listen to ourselves, and what we need. It builds independence. And you’re also less likely to accept bad behaviours from others, because you’re very much aware of who you are and what you want.
Trust your intuition.
Trusting your intuition will help you live a life true to yourself and your deepest needs, being aware of your surroundings, emotions and intentions from others. Be aware of how you’re feeling around certain people, and situations. Take these feelings into consideration, as it’s your subconscious trying to tell you something.
Set boundaries
Setting boundaries is highly important. It shows others how you view yourself, and how they should treat you. Don’t be afraid to say “no” more often, and set boundaries. If something is going to make you unhappy or uncomfortable, say no. If you simply don’t have the energy for something, say no. If you want to say no, say no! And cut ties with those who make your life unecessarily stressful. Think about what your values are, what you believe in and what you’d like out of others. This also applies to yourself, make sure you’re setting limitations on what isn’t good for you from you!
Explore your passions.
What gives you motivation? What fills you with pure joy? When we tend to forget about our needs, and push them to the side, we often lose sight of what truly makes us happy in life. So make time for your hobbies, and passions. Do whatever makes you happy, and awakens your inner child.
Reduce your stress levels.
It’s been proven that stress contributes to so many health issues, so it’s important to learn how to reduce, and deal with it when it happens. You can do so in so many ways by reducing your expectations for yourself, and others, healthy routines, good diet, working on how we view ourselves, and so much more.
Accept your flaws, celebrate your strengths.
We are all imperfectly perfect. Everyone has something that they’re amazing at, and not so good at. It’s normal, it’s human nature. It doesn’t make you any less of a person for having flaws, it’s what makes you uniquely and beautifully you. Instead of focusing too much at what you’re not good at, bring your attention to your strengths and how you can become the best version of yourself.
Stop comparing.
Comparison is a killer to your self esteem. When we invest our time watching what others are doing, and how they look, it’s time wasted that we could invest in ourselves. Spend energy nourishing and building your path. Remove anything that makes it harder for you, whether it’s social media, a friendship with someone, etc. “We don’t grow green grass by focusing on our neighbor’s garden, we do it nurturing our own.”
Stop seeking validation.
The need for approval kills your freedom. Strengthen your self acceptance, so that you feel strong enough to go with what feels right for you, and not what others are saying. Our life was made for us to live however way we think is right, and living for others leads you to a path of pure unhappiness. Figure out why the need of approval from others is so important to you, where does it come from? Is it something that you haven’t healed from? Learn how you can change these habits, and live freely on your own decisions and acceptance.
Create healthy habits/routines.
Start truly caring for yourself. Create habits that are healthy, mentally and emotionally. Be intentional about what you put into your body, not because you want to look good but because you want to feel good. Feeding your body nutrient rich foods will have you feeling your absolute best. Have a self care day once a week. Create more self love + care rituals. Upkeep your beauty maintenance. Dress your best. Work out more often, something as simple as walking every day. Have organized morning and night routines that make life easier for you. Do whatever it is that’s important for your well being, and what will make you feel more confident, and happy.
Own a journal.
Keep a journal to store all your thoughts, emotions, and capture your life journey in writing. It’s a great way to keep yourself in check, and look back at how far you’ve come. Give yourself goals to accomplish, and what you need to do in order to reach them. Create lists about what is great about you, what you need to work on, and what you need to let go of.
Do more of what you’re good at.
Spending more time doing hobbies you're good at will not only boost your endorphins, but will also boost your self esteem. Do more of whatever brings you to your happy place!
Protect your inner peace, vibration and energy.
The less likely you are to react towards others, the more at peace and powerful you’ll be. Teach yourself to be so calm, and safe within yourself. That no one and nothing can take away your peace. Understand that anyone that chooses to be negative towards you without good reasoning, are only projecting their own problems, and insecurities onto you. Remember that our energy will effect how we feel towards ourself, so choose wisely on what you give importance to.
Be more grounded.
Being grounded means you feel at home with yourself. You are present and at peace. You’re less worried about past moments, or the future. You’re more grateful of everything around you. You feel overall happier, and radiant.
2023 wrap up
Make a list of things that describe you. Use binary terms. Yes or no’s. Don’t try to soften the blow, just be honest. For example: I wake up at 10am. I work out once a month. I always get to work on time. I do my skincare routine typically 5 out of 7 times a week. I always get A’s and B’s. Etc etc
Mark which of those items are things you are proud of and want to continue and which you want to change.
Make a list of the things you want to describe you. For example: I want to wake up at 7am. I want to exercise daily. I want to eat clean at least 2 out of 3 meals a day. I want to speak fluent Spanish. Etc etc
Make detailed notes on how you can quit the things you want to quit and acquire the things you want to acquire.
Do it.
i have such mixed feelings about the idea of “moving in privacy”. i think there are seasons for it (certainly your late 20s/saturn return you will probably desire retreat for a while, or any time you feel uncertain). at the same time, moving in public with a thoughtful personal brand can be an incredible, powerful, and easy way to bring connection and opportunities to you. sometimes i think all this “disappear and move in privacy” talk is just a symptom of poor boundaries and rebranding the fear of being vulnerable… but if you can figure out boundaries and overcome the fear of actually being recognised for your gifts and strengths, well, the world is literally your oyster.
the ability to sell/negotiate
listening and learning from others
ability to speak in front of people
staying positive/optimistic
persisting and continuing to try regardless of failure
understanding other people’s feelings
ability to say no
making smart decisions that have a high ROI (return on investment)
managing ur own time and money
how to adapt, improvise, and overcome struggles and obstacles
asking for help
conveying what u think and feel
staying consistent (discipline)
for so long i always felt a sense of struggle when it came to my achievements. i could reach my goals but it always felt so hard, and it usually came paired with periods of burn out and malaise. then i found out why: i was often neglecting foundational needs, living in chaos and not taking proper care of myself, and trying to zoom straight to big-picture achievements.
below is my ultimate guide to 'the good life'. the more balance you can achieve in each category, the easier and more pleasurable it becomes to reach your goals. you will still have to stretch yourself and explore beyond your limits... but it should feel relatively nice because you are supported by a nourishing lifestyle.
you deserve a beautiful, healthy, passion-filled life. here's how you get it:
physical health: create nourishing routines for sleep, exercise, and nutrition. your literal energy starts here, so if you’re trying to bring positive energy to your life and achieve success, you need foundational energy.
mental and emotional health: build resilience and develop strategies for coping with pressure and stress. take care of your mental health always, not just when you’re already spinning out.
financial stability: learn to manage your money wisely. budgeting, saving, and debt management are a must.
your home: whether you have just a bed, a room, an apartment, or a whole house, create a safe, comforting space to recharge and feel grounded.
strong relationships: surround yourself with supportive and meaningful connections - so much about ourselves is defined by those we are close with so choose wisely.
meaningful work: follow your sense of purpose and find work or projects that bring a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction to your life. remember that it may not always be paid work. if you have no idea, just keep trying things and follow what interests you, while working on the next stage.
personal growth: invest into self improvement, developing new skills, growing your knowledge and learning as much as possible.
spiritual fulfilment: find purpose, whether through spirituality, self-reflection, or a connection to something bigger.
creativity & self-expression: explore creative outlets and express your true self to find a grounding sense of joy and authenticity.
community & contribution: give back, volunteer, or participate in community initiatives to connect with a greater sense of purpose and life-giving connection.
legacy & impact: define the mark you want to leave on the world, through family, work, or contributions to society. think deeply about what you wish to leave behind and tailor your life to this goal.
play & leisure: make time for joy, hobbies, and relaxation for rejuvenation, calm, and passion. if your day to day work isn't your passion, it's so essential to find passion here.
time in nature: regularly connect with the outdoors for grounding and mental clarity.
Have a signature accessory, clothing article, make up look, or hair style.
Have a fragrance. Make your hair scents and lotions match your perfume.
It’s okay to dine alone. Bring a book or people watch.
Love your hair. Research the best brands for your hair type and use masks weekly.
Your nails don’t need to be fancy, but keep them maintained.
Stay worldly. Know works of art, artists, designers, films, books, politicians. Spend your lunch break reading the paper or a magazine.
Crying is not a weapon. It’s okay to feel your emotions, but never use them as an excuse to avoid your problems.
Jealousy is boring. Love and appreciate others. If you can’t love them, forget them.
Boost others. Flatter others, but don’t deprecate yourself in the process.
Don’t sulk. Don’t let the whole world know your problems. If you don’t want someone to give their opinion, don’t share your situation.
Your life is between you and the universe. Don’t post your personal matters for others to see.
Don’t emotionally blackmail others. They hurt you? Let them know and then move on. It’s between the two of you and not the world.
Cook dinner. Cook dinner and listen to music, the radio, or a podcast.
Treat yourself to candles and flowers. Be your own cheerleader.
Take naps. Take a cat nap on a Sunday afternoon with the blinds open and the fan on high.
Drink your water, eat your vegetables. Take care of your body.
Never have time to take off your jewelry before bed, but always have time to take off your makeup. Your nighttime skin regime is important.
Mystery is beautiful. You don’t need to reveal much of or about yourself.
Never appear other than as you are. Don’t lie about yourself. Embrace who you are at your core.
how to focus on yourself
limit your social media usage or delete entirely
if you use social media for work, school, or self-development, this might not work for you but if you use social media for friend updates, stalking your ex, obsessing over other people, etc., then take some time off social media; whether you want to limit yourself to 30 minutes a day for a month or deactivate entirely for a month (or however long you want). sometimes you just need to fall off the face of the earth and not allow for distractions to take your attention off of you.
work inwards and see what needs fixing within you
do you self-sabotage, have a lack of self-control, have a bad temper, or have any other traits that hinder your process of growth and development? spend some time with yourself and get deep. it takes a lot of honesty and self-awareness to even do this step so you might spend weeks trying to figure out your weaknesses. once you figure them out, you research and practice day in and day out the steps to fight/heal what you need to work on.
create a list of standards
have a list of standards for every area + person in your life. what are your must-haves and what are your like-to-haves? when you have a set of standards for everything in your life, you will make time for things that meet your standards and you will not make time for the things that don’t. i’ll be uploading a standards template today that you can print out or follow if you want to be organized and specific.
create daily, weekly, and monthly (short-term) goals and make working on those goals a priority
if you’re working on your goals everyday, you are undoubtedly working on yourself and focusing on yourself. i suggest having no more than 3-5 goals you’re working on at a given time to avoid burnout, but you do what’s best for you. when i fully focus on myself, i literally don’t have the time to do anything else.
get in the mindset of “i deserve” rather than “i want”
when you say you want something, it’s putting you in the mindset of “wishful thinking”. if you say “i deserve” instead, you will operate from a mindset of standards like i talked about earlier and expectation. in return, you will be more motivated to work on what you deserve, rather than wish for what you want.
40 Examples of Self Abandonment 🤕👎💭💔
Self-abandonment means not taking care of yourself, your needs, and your feelings. It's like ignoring what's good for you and not being kind to yourself normally in a way that benefits everyone but you.
Not eating well or exercising.
Pretending to be happy when you're not.
Working too much without breaks.
Staying in a bad relationship.
Letting people use you.
Forgetting about things you enjoy.
Not saying what you want.
Always doing things for others.
Not asking for help when you're sad or stressed.
Being alone when you need friends.
Saying mean things to yourself in your head.
Giving up your dreams for others.
Avoiding problems instead of solving them.
Never taking time to relax.
Ignoring how you look or feel.
Not asking for help when things are too hard.
Trying to be perfect all the time.
Doing things that hurt you, like drugs or danger.
Changing who you are to fit in.
Not being yourself and doing what others want.
Ignoring your body when it needs rest or sleep.
Letting others make decisions for you all the time.
Keeping your feelings bottled up inside.
Surrounding yourself with people who bring you down.
Not pursuing your interests or hobbies.
Saying "yes" to everything, even when you're overwhelmed.
Putting up with disrespect or mistreatment from others.
Not giving yourself credit for your accomplishments.
Skipping important appointments or check-ups.
Holding onto grudges and negative emotions.
Comparing yourself unfavorably to others.
Not taking breaks when you're stressed.
Neglecting your financial well-being and overspending.
Ignoring signs of burnout or exhaustion.
Avoiding seeking help for mental health struggles.
Ignoring your own intuition and gut feelings.
Overcommitting and spreading yourself too thin.
Constantly seeking validation from others.
Letting fear hold you back from trying new things.
Dwelling on past mistakes and not forgiving yourself.
i think more women should develop signatures. signature scents, signature colors, signature looks, signature cars, signature phrases, signature words. just my personal belief ladies…