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Our health starts with our mind! Until this year I had been looking at my life and thinking "why is everything always going wrong for me?" The analogy of life being a rollercoaster has always been exactly how I've seen my life, and I'll be honest it had felt as though I had been on a down hill spiral most of the time, with some highs and then like Alton Towers "Oblivion", straight backdown into a deep dark hole! I could see myself getting older and nothing was going how I'd imagined it would. I felt "old" and "unaccomplished" I had started to hate the way I looked, had server anxiety and felt like I'd been spending my whole life living for other people (children/partners) and putting their hopes and dreams first and hadn't had time to do what I wanted with my life. I had a lot going on and felt overwhelmed and detached, sometimes like I just couldn't cope anymore with what life was chucking at me!
During lockdown (and amongst all the crazy that it created), I decided to change some things about how I was doing "my life". Low and behold after a few weeks and a bit of self discipline, I had a completely different outlook on my whole life. My mindset has changed from "I'm too old to fulfill my dreams", to "the world is my oyster!" I felt less stressed and more confident. Of course I still face challenges but I manage them differently and for the first time in my life I can honestly say I have self love and I feel completely whole and happy.
Scroll down to read my top five tips to a healthier mindset.
1. DON'T LET THINGS BUILD UP
If you can't afford that £400 bill that's just come through the door, don't put it away or to the bottom of the pile, call and be straight with the creditor, make a payment arrangement or ask them to put it on hold for a few weeks. The more transparent and honest you are the easier it will be to manage and the less you will be left worrying. Appointments - if you can't make them, call up as soon as you realise and rearrange. If you can't do it then diarise to do it later. Do everything that comes up as soon as you possibly can and lighten your mental load! Don't let (even the small) things build up so you are worrying about them when you should be sleeping (which is another thing that's super important for your mind & body).
2. MAKE APPOINMENTS WITH YOURSELF
Forget lists, appointments are the way to feeling organised and on top of life! From now on put everything in your calendar as an appointment and SHOW UP!
Treat appointments with you (to make calls, or whatever else you need to do in a day), the same way as you would treat a hair appointment. If you can't do it, rearrange and put it back in your diary! this is a really good life hack that will help you with time management and ensure you're still doing everything you need to do in the priority it needs to be done!
3. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP!
I'm not talking taking advantage of people here, We are all human and we all have times we need to talk things through for guidance and clarity. If you are having money difficulties there are lots of agencies you can speak to such as the Citizens Advice Bureau who can help you to sort out a debt management plan. The Samaritans are really great to speak to in you are feeling low and alone. Friends, Family, people would rather listen and advise or signpost you to help, than have you feeling low and helpless. There is always somebody to talk through your problems and guide you through them.
4. YOU NEED YOU TIME!
It's so important to spend some of your life thinking about you! that is OK, it's not wrong to do it. It can be so easy to get so wrapped up in work, kids, cleaning, to not think about doing things to unwind and have some head space. spend time with friends, or out for a walk/run with your own thoughts. Even if you can't get out read/meditate. Let your mind and body relax and be free from all the hustle and bustle of the day. There are some amazing guided meditation videos on YouTube which I enjoy listening to. I can honestly say that, Meditation and self affirmations are my absolute daily defernites now and something I will do for the rest of my life!
5. DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR GOALS & DREAMS
Always continue to work towards your goals and dreams! Don't think it's too late or you're too busy, you now diaries your life and make time for you, so you can never be too busy to follow your dreams! Make every day count and spend the time you've created for yourself focusing on how you're going to get closer to your goals. Training, reading, self love. You can do anything you want in this life if you focus and give it your all.
In what has been a really stressful time, by applying these steps, In a matter of months I transformed my thoughts and feelings into positive ones and I've now accomplished my goal of owning my own salon alongside a fabulous hairdresser, Claire, who has also taught me a lot! As well as this I have created my own health and wellness business, teaming up with some really inspiring people from all industries to promote vegan health and wellness products, so I can continue to help my customers feel fantastic from the inside out!
I hope you all can take away with you something from this and I hope it helps you to change some little habits that help you to free your mind, feel healthier, happier and more focused on whatever your goals may be.
If you are interested in hearing about the opportunity I had to build a business that promotes positive mind and body, and brilliant training and support get in touch. I'd be more than happy to talk it through with you and help you to build up something you can enjoy doing from wherever you want!
Whatever it will be for you I hope you enjoy the rest of your journey!
Holly x
