In a previous post we talked about the Power of Affirmations and the grande effect they have on your subconscious mind. Your thoughts hold emmence power, from words of self encouragement to the sly comments you take as jokes. Positive affirmations release you from negative energy and patterns such as worry, anxiety, doubt and fear.
It’s important to be mindful, your subconcious is listening. Learn to speak to yourself with love, compassion and encouragement. Pay attention to the hidden messages in your thoughts and words, watch your tongue as it holds great power.
“there’s no way that could work”.
“I can’t do it”
“It’s going to be another one of those days”
“That’s just my luck”
“I’m not creative”
“I’m too shy”
“I’m realy out of shape”
“I don’t look good”
STOP IT! Your subconcious is unable to recognise what you want and don’t but instead focusing on what you’re paying attention to. Energy flows where your intention goes. However, this does not mean that you should ignore and bottle up your emotions. Recognise your emotions, especially the negative ones because that it where healing begins, when you come face to face with your hurt and fears. Healing the wound so as to no longer hurt from them.
Be open with yourself, trust yourself and be vulnerable, in that write down a negative thought that bothers you and a positive counterpart. Example.
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve”
What do you tell yourself? Are you kind to yourself? How is your relationship with self? Much too often do I hear or see people looking for love and acceptance outside of self and wondering why the well runs dry. What happens when the likes and comments run dry? When you can’t call your friend to give you a boost? When it is only you
Be your own cheerleader, your own best friend.
Benefits of Daily Affirmations
Daily affirmations allow you to reprogram your mind from negative thought patterns and help you feel positive and confident. Repeating affirmations daily will influence your subconcious and motivate you. Don’t worry it may feel uncomfortable, odd or even a bit silly as you start but in the morning look at yourself in the mirror and repeated affirmations that resonate with you. Make this your morning ritual and you will feel your soul begin to reap the benefits.
I awaken grateful for today and I choose happiness.
I have an aura of positive energy surrounding me.
My life is filled with happiness, love and peace.
I believe in the power of positivity.
I am protected.
I believe in my strength.
I speak life into my work.
I speak life into my vision.
I am grateful for the gift of life.
I choose to be happy, i deserve and claim happiness.
I protect my energy and release all negativity.
Being happy comes easy to me.
I am grateful to have people in my life who are good for me
I am abundant.
I am worthy of love and respect.
I am proud of who I am becoming.
I allow myself to be who i am without judgment
I give myself permission to do what is right for me.
I forgive myself and set myself free.
I listen to my intuition and trust my inner guide.
I am becoming closer to my true self everyday.
I put my energy into things that matter to me.
I have the freedom and power to create the life I desire.
My possibilities are endless
I choose to see the positive.
I choose to release all negativity.
I choose to focus on the positive, as i remember energy flows where intention goes.
I choose to be grateful.
I choose to be happy.
I choose to surround myself with those who make me happy.
I choose how to respond to circumstances.
I choose to focus on things that feel good.
I am allowing myself to be consistently and genuinely happy.
Have you read my more detailed post The Power of Affirmations? Please do as it explains further. I hope this was helpful Xx Do you practice daily affirmations?
How well do you know yourself? No, not your name, age, family history or where you grew up or went to school. I mean really know who you are at the core of it all. Beyond social media and the influence of friends and peers.
How connected are you to who you truly are?
Self love is one of the most important things in life, the world is forever changing and so are the people around you. Not to be morbid but at the end of the day you’ve got yourself, you’re the one you can fully rely on. People change, their opinions and feelings may waver, others may just be cruel and attack you, forgetting the power of the tongue. Through all that, self love is your amour, your relationship with yourself plays a big factor on how all of this affects you and as you continue down the journey of self love you need to first learn more about yourself, know who you are. Because, how can you love someone that you do not know? Sounds like trying to remember someone you’ve never met, no?
In a previous post we talked about Individuation , which I described as the process through which you fully embody who you are and embrace your individuality, leaving you without care for societal standards and benchmarks. Achieving a sense of differentiating your own identity from those of others, allowing you to consciously exist in the world as yourself.
When you know who you are, where you stand on different matters, your beliefs and what is important to you the opinions and pressures of the outside world doesn’t pick at you, trying to mold you into who they want you to be or want you to do.
To fully individuate you need to first learn who you are. So, who are you? Take a moment and think about it. Let’s search a little deeper.
Bare with me, really think about it and then we’ll go through just why this is so important.
To truly love yourself is a love that is unconditional. To achieve this, you need to know different aspects of who you truly are.
Learning how to be vulnerable in your own eyes is important because only you fully know and understand your story, your emotions, what insecurities you tuck away, what scares you and what doubts you may have. They are nothing to be ashamed of, we are creatures that are always evolving, do not fear the process.
Are you comfortable in your vulnerability ?
Vulnerability, a topic I definitely want to dive further into as the fear of vulnerability continues to be far too common. Misunderstood as weakness and feared but honey, in your vulnerability lays your truth and strength.It is in that vulnerability that you fully learn who you are, the bright and the hidden and in that you learn to love yourself unconditionally.
Know Your Strengths
When working our strengths you feel in your element, doing things with ease and interests because
let’s face we when you’re good at something you tend to like it more. Work on those strengths and nurture them. What are your strengths? When is it that you feel in your element? What do you do with ease and keenly? If you can’t think of what you’re strengths are ask those around you that know you well.
Know Your Weaknesses
We don’t like acknowledging our weaknesses because it may make you feel weak but I assure you there is nothing wrong with having weaknesses. Don’t be too hard on yourself but instead make your goal to better them and turn them into strengths give yourself time and a plan to work towards your goal. Remember we’re working on unconditional love.
Know Your Values and Beliefs
This comes down to what you stand for. What is important to you?
I believe in love, encouragement and overall positive energy. For that reason if I’m with people that belittle others and are unkind especially if it’s all to make them feel above I will speak my mind in defense of the person and remove myself from that situation. Above all i trust energy and my intuition, energy doesn’t lie.
Know What You Love and Hate
It’s very important to know what you love, what makes you happy, fulfilled and calm. Learn more about yourself and look into your passions. Knowing what you hate, what isn’t for you helps you set boundaries, both with yourself and other people. Knowing this helps you take care of yourself.
Personally I’m an introvert and although they are people that may know me as social i know that i need to recharge after a while. Some alone time with a good book, soul music, writing or art helps me do that. What about you? Knowing what i hate helps me set boundaries, I love to be surrounded with good positive energy so when it comes to people speaking down on others or anything of that sort I know to leave the situation and they know it’s not for me.
Know Your Purpose
Knowing your purpose fills you with motivation to get out of bed and start what you need to do. In a way that doesn’t feel forced and drags you to do it but instead motivates you from within. It does not have a deadline but instead is something that makes you feel fulfilled. You may not know what your purpose is right now and that’s alright. Yet another reason to explore who you are and learn more about yourself.
I believe my purpose is making a difference and impacting lives, be it from my writing, people i talk to, strangers or friends to my charity helping sweet little girls who have been victim to female genital mutilation and early forced marriages. I noticed the difference I would make and the attention I would always give to the ‘underdog’ making sure to reassure them and the greater difference it made. I started paying attention when people would get back to me, saying i’m easy to talk to especially when it came to real things or the difference I made on how they viewed things. People simply want to b heard.
Take some time and think about what your purpose is and align yourself to it.
Why It’s Important to Know Yourself
Fall in love with your individuality
Knowing yourself, your interests, beliefs, what you love to do, how you love to spend your time, how you love to dress, music you enjoy, movies and everything about you and strongly standing in your unconditional love for self shuts off the noise that is the world. In a position where you may not fully be yourself in fear of alienation, being seen as odd because you are different from what society, your friends or parents say you should be, you will no longer play the part of a chameleon and change to fit but instead know and love that what makes you different is what makes you unique, what makes you special.
Falling in love with your individuality ensures that you are in charge of your own thoughts and personality. You know your values, your goals and your dreams and so you know what does not align with your path and the steps you need to take to stay on that path and achieve your goals. After all, you do take care of those you love, right? So take care of yourself.
Confidence and Value
Many times what may cause you to have low confidence or not see your value is that you may compare yourself to other people. Especially in the age of social media where you spend hours (especially now that you’re quarantined) scrolling through social media and seeing the best of people you might start comparing yourself to them. Learning to love yourself and accepting and embracing individuality is a key reminder that everyone is different, you do not need to be like another person in order to be happy.
Once you stand tall in your authenticity you’ll notice your confidence rise. You will be aware of your worth and your value even when a person comes short of seeing it you know what’s important is how you see yourself and feel, being or working towards being the highest version of yourself.
Know yourself and you will know your true power. Embrace it and love yourself unconditionally and you are invincible.
Individuation, the process that enables one to truly embody who they are and embrace their individuality leaving them without care for societal standards and benchmarks. The sense of differentiating one’s own identity from those of others, allowing them to consciously exist in the world.
Self-actualization, the path of self-discovery and exploration. It can truly be both a thrilling yet painful process. Society has become more outspoken on self-love but the conversation became less about truth and more about trend and style. Social media has glorified mental health care, threw on a filter and a good playlist and has fooled some to think that is where it ends. This is not to put down the quotes, skin care, baths, nature walk tips and the likes because they too can help lift a person’s spirits, it becomes an issue when that is where the conversation ends and a line is drawn. Because on the other side of that line is the not so pretty parts of mental health that should also be normalized as a conversation and not speak about depression and anxiety behind our screens while stigma still infects the society and conversations considered too real, are too much.
On the path of self-discovery and self-realization fear and doubt must be attacked first and left behind because in this path ties in the long life journey of individuation. This is the sense of self in a world controlled by trends and opinions from all directions. Be it friends, family, people you hold in high regard or those you despise, in order to individuate and truly be your own person you must individuate your wants from theirs.
Remember when I said it is a thrilling yet painful process this is where the rollercoaster begins but you must learn that the important part is to be honest and true to yourself. As you read this don’t simply scan over it, you’re here on my blog for a reason, reading this for a reason. Be honest with yourself. Plus no one will know what you’re reflecting on unless you tell them right? So why not be honest with yourself?
How many times has fear held you back from truly experiencing the moment? Ever wanted to just be free and fully live in the moment? When you wanted to dance and enjoy it all but you keep your dancing to yourself because well, you don’t think you’re the best at it. How you wanted to grab that opportunity but didn’t take the chance because you figured you wouldn’t be chosen anyway, holding yourself back from your business opportunity because of the lack of self belief. Keeping to yourself not because you necessarily want to but because all that goes through your mind is…you don’t look like them, speak like them…Holding back on posting that picture because it doesn’t look … perfect, unlike the pictures that flood the internet. When you ‘should’ be happy but you can’t help but compare yourself to them. Why don’t you look like them? Why aren’t you like them?
It’s time to be introspective and get in touch with the uncomfortable feelings you burrow because that is where healing and individuating begins.
Doubts come flooding in and shape shift into doubt and fear that hold you back from embracing your uniqueness and seeing what that would truly bring you.
What would you do if the world went silent?
If your parents, friends and social media stopped dictating what you should look like, be like, be interested in and value or you are deemed lesser than? When in the process of individuating all the noise in the world affects how you live, your emotions and results in internal battles that the same society will judge you for. This happens because there are no boundaries between your personal values, beliefs, views, goals and opinions and theirs. These boundaries should allow for you to learn and grow but not at the expense of losing yourself.
You may get lost in all the chaos but you are reading this for a reason. Don’t step down from what you were and through the process of shedding the template society drew on your skin it will come down to how bad do you want it? Are you willing to have those closest to you turn on you as they watch you change because in a society where everyone is trying to be the same embracing oneself is considered a rebellious act.
Fight for who you are even if it means losing the world you know because as you unlock your true self you will find a world far more beautiful. Remember, this is your life! You’re the author of your life don’t let someone else write it and read it to you as a twisted manual. Write your story and do so with love and faith in who you are and who you’re becoming because in what you say, think and believe lays the beauty of the law of attraction.
(Follow for upcoming blog posts: The power of affirmations, and more!)
Individuation, the process through which you will fully embody who you are and embrace your individuality, leaving you without care for societal standards and benchmarks. You will achieve a sense of differentiating your own identity from those of others, allowing you to consciously exist in the world as yourself.
The world needs you to be you, your gift, your talent, your purpose. In this alignment lays your true power. Embrace it.
Self-Discipline is the ability to push yourself and take action regardless of one’s feelings. It is the willpower to overcome one’s weaknesses.
How many times have you set goals but then procrastinated? Be it a new year resolution organizing your room or to do the dishes before bed, self discipline is a skill we all need to master.
When you think ‘self-care’ what first comes to mind? Face masks and a candle lit bath? (Love this!) As much as this will be an aspect of self-care it is not all of it. The best self-care skills take self-discipline, purpose, hard work, commitment, and resilience.
Self-care is not an indulgence but rather a discipline.
Self-care requires a deep personal understanding of your reasons for self-improvement and your priorities. What is your why?
I’ve had to learn self-discipline and continue to master it but it was definetly after several attempts. I’d jump into what I needed to do with excitement but had trouble being consistent. I would plan to wake up at 5am but that seems to be when my bed is at it’s warmest and coziest so admittedly there were days I would press snooze and roll over. Sound familiar? I would start a new workout routine that would then be short lived. I was full of excuses and procrastination. All until I asked myself one question. How bad do I want it?
Self-care is not selfish. It is putting your best foot forward in all areas of your life.
I took a step back from writing and my site to focus on nurturing my mind, body and soul. Unhappy with where I was I took back my power, reminded myself that I create my own reality and began my blueprints. I took a step back, even from friends and began my introspective journey. You see, the time I took away wasn’t selfish, it was neccessary. I can now present my best self, show up as my highest self, help, support and help others to join this mindful and fullfilling journey.
Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup.
Check in with your body– Listen to your intuition, your inner guidance system. Is your soul at peace? Are you living a life you will benefit from?
What do you want more? List down the things you would like to do more. Do you want to excerice? Meditate each morning? Start practicing Yoga? Do you want to feel confident in your skin? Do you want to lose or gain weight.
What do you need more? Listen to your body and be honest with self, what is it that you need? Do you need to study more? Do you need a healthier diet and lifestyle? Are there habits you need to stop?
Plan! – You have 24 hours in a day. How will you use them?
The 21/90 Rule. It take 21 days to build a habit and 90 days to build a lifestyle. Subscribe to my blog and join the #21daysofcare challenge. Choose you.
Mindset
What is your reason for change? What do you want to achieve? How bad do you want it ?
Intrinsic motivation will push you further than any external force ever will. Attach your deep desire of attaining your goals to the feelings of satisfaction and fulfilment as you work and achieve your goals.
Baby Steps
Break down large tasks into smaller tasks that you can do in steps. Need to clean your room? Start with one drawer at a time. Want to do an hour workout? Does the thought of it already have you dreading it?
Don’t get lost or intimidated by the bigger picture and forget the baby steps that will lead you there. Start Today! Put in that 10 or 20 minutes, because that is better than doing nothing at all.
List down the things you want to start doing (start small and add on). Here’s an example of mine:
Wake up at 5am
Workout
Meditate
Unplug
Study
Consistent Blogging
Healthy Diet
Draw/Paint
Always Be Better Than Yesterday
Missed out something on your list? No worry, new sunrise, new opportunities!
Avoid wasting time on things that will not be beneficial. It’s important to unwind and relax, that is part of self-care but do not over indulge in what is not nurturing you. (You could nurture this by closing Netflix after 2 episodes other than binge your show). Ensure you know what you value most in this life, use your energy and time accordingly.
“Self-discipline is when your conscience tells you to do something and you don’t talk back”
W.K Hope.
Get Enough Sleep
It is easy to get lost in your passion, to-do-list and lose track of time, working late nights and early mornings may seem productive to begin with but unless you give your body the rest it needs, you wil burn out. The optimum amount of sleep is 6-8 hours. Once an insomniac I have tried it all to try and get to sleep, maybe this will help
Unplug
Social media is a large part of our daily lives, especially now with minimal movement. This has resulted in an increase of time spent in front of screen, connecting through social media but are you allocating time to connect with self?
It is important to regularly unplug and spend time away from screens. Instead use that time to be productive or to spend time with self
It may be motivation that started it but it’s habit and discipline that keep you going!
– Love and Peace –
Fayne A. Soida
(Feel free to leave a comment down below and let me know what you think 🤎)
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Hey you! How have you been? I hope you’ve been doing great, flourishing and blooming! I’ve loved hearing from you and happy about how many of you have started journaling. Let me know how your journey is going. Let’s connect.
As we continue our Journey of Self Love I want to welcome my Journaling series. From the age of 9 journaling has been my love and i see the benefits.
Welcome to my Journaling Series where we can go through the journey together. Journaling creates a space where you can have a relationship with yourself. It’s easy to get lost in everyday life, journaling allows you to see self for who you truly are guiding you as you live a life of authenticity.
To help you through this process i’ll be posting journal prompts on my instagram to help you out. Maybe this is new to you, it doesn’t matter if you’re a writer or how often you write. Your journal is your space but sometimes you just don’t know where to start. I’ve had those moments and that’s when my art journal comes in, a picture speaks 1000 words right?
Journal prompts give you a starting point. Follow me on my instagram for daily journal prompts, you can journal about it on the day or save them for later. I recommend getting a beautiful jar or box- any mason jar or type of jar you may have laying around works. Write out your prompts, mix them up and pick them like it’s a shuffle!
Journal Prompts for Self-Love
What are 5 things I love about myself?
What are 5 things I am really good at?
Describe your biggest supporter and why they believe in you.
What do your family love about you?
When am i the happiest version of myself?
I feel peaceful when …
Write a love letter to yourself.
What 15 compliments can you give yourself?
Journal Prompts for Mental Health
List 5 things that make you smile
What can you do to make yourself feel better tomorrow?
What is your perspective on happiness
Dear Future Me …
Dear Past Me …
What events make me sad?
What events make me happy?
Are there things that easily piss me off? Why ?
Journal Prompts on Love & Relationships
What does love mean to you?
Who do you trust most?
Who am i most grateful for in my life?
How do you show compassion to others?
What do you value most in relationships?
How can you better love and support your loved ones?
Do i hold onto grudges?
Who are 5 people i admire most and whyh?
Journaling Prompts for Working Through Your Emotions
How do feel today? Really?
If i knew i would not fail i would …
I know when i’m feeling good because when i feel good i …
What do I need to let go of?
What does my inner critic say? Respond in dialogue
What am i afraid i might learn about myself?
Imagine a place that would make you feel totallt calm and relaxed. Imagine it in detail.
How do you communicate your feelings? Do you have trouble?
Have you been journaling? Would you like to start Journaling?
Are you unsure of the type of journaling that’s right for you? Click here.
Subscribe above to make sure you don’t miss out on part 2 and feel free to connect with me, i’m open to questions and love engaging with my readers! Let me know what you think below.
A personal jounal is an ideal environment in which to “become”. It is a perfect place for you think, feel, discover, expand, remember and dream
Hello there! I hope you’ve been having a lovely time, feeling blessed and manifesting your dreams! As we continue our self love and self discovery journey I encourage you to script as it is beneficial and gives you a way to keep track of progress and have a glance down memory lane for a pat on your back.
You may be new to journaling, join the community and let us give you a hand. Follow my instagram for journaling reminders and motivation through daily stories and quotes.
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“Writing is my way of expressing – and thereby eliminating – all the various ways we can be wrong-headed.” – Zadie Smith
From a young age I fell inlove with writing and notebooks, piling up beautiful books with writing and drawings from cover to cover. At the moment I have a gratitude journal, art journal, project journal and poetry journal with a plan for a beautiful bullet journal!
Are you new to journaling, a one notebook person or one of my multiple-notebook people? Let me know below. Here is part 1 incase you missed it.
1. Bullet Journal
This type of journaling is great for anyone who likes to keep track of their day and goals all convieniently in one place! Do you have a lot on your to-do list? Bullet journals help you keep track of of your to-do list, calender events, responsibilities and goals. Bullet journals are a very convenient mix of day planners, diary and meditation journal as it encourages writers to express their emotions. I really like the mindfullness that bullet journaling brings into daily tasks while still allowing room for creativity.
2. Vision Journal
Ever heard of a vision board? Now all of that in your journal. Dedicate each page do different goals, that’s one page per goal. Use this page to manifest and visualise your goals as your reality. Add words, pictures and drawings that will help you reach that goal.
Are you new to journaling? This is a great way to get into it, maybe it seems tasking to you. Journaling will be beneficial, think of it as a mindful hobby and not so much as a task. Write 2 or 3 sentences about your day and 3 things you are grateful for.
4. Food Journal
Do you enjoy cooking and/or baking? Do you keep trying different recipes but never keep them in one place? A food journal is for the food lover or anyone who wants to keep track of their eating habits. It will help you in meal-planning, helping you plan and improve your nutrition, makes writing a grocery list easier to write and stick to
Keeping a food journal can be really exciting! Record your collected recipes and maybe even add a photo for that extra touch! Food journaling is a great way to keep your recipes with a special touch that online apps or notes wont accomplish. Don’t you think grandma’s recipe book is a lot more special handwritten that on phone notes?
5. Fitness Journal
This would go great hand in hand with a food journal towards a healthy nourished body. In your journal you can categorize your workouts and keep track of your progress after each session. Keeping track encourages you to keep going as you do not want to break the flow in your journal, great for both those who have difficulty being consistent, beginners and fitness enthusiasts. Do you have a fitness goal?
6. Plant Journal
Are you a plant lover? I’m currently exploring the world of plants and gardening. I’ve enjoyed meeting plant enthusiasts of different levels. Regardless of whether you you have a yard garden or balcony this is a great for gardening anf plant enthusiasts. Write out the plants you have and keep a record; watering schedule, observations, photographs and your experience with different plants as this will help in future.
“He who draws noble delights from sentiments of poetry is a true poet, though he has never written a line in all his life.”
— George Sand, from The Devil’s Pool.
Are you passionate about poems? Do they evoke certain emotions in you? I love finding different poems and quotes from different stories and books. I find beauty in the inticrate words, rhythms and meanings behind them all, I love the emotion and complex thoughts. Use this journal to write your poetry, you may combine it with your reading journal or art journal. This creative journal allows you to freely express your emotions and thoughts, it allows you create art and poetry in one place. This is a mindful practice that allows for introspection and creativity.
8. Group Journal
Journaling helps raise awareness and draws energy and intention towards a particular area in your life. It leads to mindfulness and better understanding. When journaling alone you are introspective and working on your relationship woth self, in group journaling you can significantly improve your relationship with others; friendships, family and relationships. You can use it to keep track of important dates and memories, write your goals and keep cute pictures!
There are numerous types of journaling with different purposes but overall journaling is beneficial. Here’s part 1.
Others include the ideas journal, finance journal, prayer journal, music journal, letter journal and more! Let me know down below if you want a part 3.
Hello there! I hope you’ve been keeping up with your affirmations! I’ve heard from a number of you and I’m pleased to know many are using the power of affirmations. I understand that it may be difficult to start, perhaps it feels strange saying them out loud or maybe it slips you mind.
Do you have an affirmation practice? I find that it helps to make a ritual from it. This may be affirming self in the mirror with your morning routine, maybe after showering. Another method is using the power of script, and journaling. Studies shows that our minds retain written information at a much higher rate than audible. I encourage you to journal as i believe it truly will be beneficial to you.
Welcome to my Journaling Series, where we learn and go through journaling together.
Importance of journaling
What first comes to mind? You may have linked it to a secret diary, a safe space for your confessions. Well journaling isn’t far from that but we’ll get to the different types of journaling in a little bit. Journaling is about scripting your thoughts, feelings, goals and fears. It is a tool, an open space for you to pur out self and see whole from a different perspective. It is about being introspective and creating a relationship with yourself.
Journaling creates a private space between you and your mind where you come face to face with your realities. It’s all about having a relationship with your mind. Journaling is a tool that helps you with being introspective. A lot of time we may lose sight while in the midst of our story, perhaps lost in the chaos that is todays life. In the center of it unable to see the bigger picture. Creating that relationship, having it on paper allows you to view the situation from different aspects creating immence room for growth.
Benefits of Journaling
Journaling is a great tool when you are feeling overwhlmed, as it is a space for you to release and express self. This practice is beneficial for your mental health as it aid in reducing stress, managing anxiety and coping with depression and general mental health.
Journaling creates an opportunity for intentional positive self talk and manifestation. Highlighting areas in need for improvement by tracking your day-to-day habits, sysptoms and identifying any triggers.
I love having creative fun journals, what about you?
Types of Journaling
1. Journal Therapy
This is a therapeutic journal, a treatment tool used to better one’s mental health. I particularly found journal therapy useful during my mental health journey. A safe space for the depths of your mind that you may not want to or be ready to share with other people. A space to truly be introspecive, express your emotions and continue to seek further. Maybe you’re stress, feeling lethargic, coping with anxiety or depression? Maybe you are struggling to find the root of your problem. Use your journal to analyze these feelings and dicover your triggers and a way to process your felings in the moment.
2. The Blank Journal
Blank because you never know what type of inspiration you will have and small and convinient to carry around for whenever inspiration strikes. Not neccessarily for serious aspirations such as publishing but a space to journal and be free as the blank journal has unmatched creative freedom.
3. Gratitude Journal
In a previous post we spoke of gratitude and the effects it has on your frequency and perspective on life. My gratititude journal is a part of my morning routine and i highly recommend it. Taking time to be very intentional and reflect directs your focus on positivity and gratitude. Start your day with your gratitude journal, write down 5 things in your life you are grateful for. This allows you to connect to a powerful energy as you elevevate your energy, connecting deeply to each life experience. Gratitude goes beyond the politeness of ‘thank you’ and the general overall feelings of abundance.
What are you grateful for?
What 4 things are you grateful for today?
Write about a family member that supports you.
Write about someone who is always there for you.
What talents do you have?
What brings you joy?
You are abundant. Claim it.
4. Art Journal
“But what if i’m not an artist?” You don’t have to be! Embrace your creative energy! It’s inside you, creative energy is all around and inside of you. Express yourself through art as this will help you form your emotional identity as creativity activates your sacral chakra. The second of seven chakras that is the center of our sexuality, governing creativity, emotions, movement an pleasure.
(Subscribe for upcoming posts on energy and chakras.)
Forget the limitations of art rules and simply flow, a picture speaks a 1000 words, speak through your art.
Have you ever found it difficult to express self? Unable to connect the right words together, poetic words a little too far beyond your reach? They are simply blocked. In a world where vulnerability is taken as weakness far too many people have not only a wall up but are standing behind it in full armour. Vulnerability may be scary but you cannot hide who you truly are from yourself. Express yourself, your personal experience and connect to your higher self even without the use of words.
5. Dream Journal
Do you remember your dreams? Ever tried to tell someone about that interesting dream you had but seem to go blank? Maybe you rememeber bits and pieces but can’t quite put the building blocks together. Dream journaling is a practice to record those very fragments of your dreams onto paper as soon as you wake up, while the memory is still relatively fresh. As you sleep your mind is processing your day and perception of the world and that is why it’s important to note and relfect on your dreams, bringing forth the true meaning.
Like many i remember bits and pieces for a few moments, I may say i had an interesting dream but if you ask to explain, my story will make little to no sense. If you want improve your dream retention this is a great tool, write down your dream as soona s you wake up and watch as your overall dream memory enhances!
6. Project Journal
What are your plans? Would you like to keep track of them? This journal will help you keep track of your business plans, goals and success as well as a place for you to set time boundaries and set a path towards your goal.
7. Reading Journal
Are you a book worm? Or do you pick up a book and not quite manage to get through it? A reading journal encourage you to meet your goals of X pages a day. Additionally, writing about the pages read that day helps improve memory and is an excellent way to analyse the book. My favourtie part of my reading journal is writing down all my favourite quotes, importance facts and new words. Are you in a book club? That may encourage you to read more.
8. Personal Junk Journal
This journal is somewhat the opposite of the positive happy energy behind the gratitude journal. Remember, intention flows where energy goes, but this does not mean you should bottle up and ignore negative emotions. Emotions demand to be felt, as I said in a previous post The Power of Affirmations ; think of your mind as a house, all these doubts and fears crowd your space and get in the way of you redecorating (your growth). Your personal junk journal will help you declutter, use your journal to release negative energy, vent your fustrations, negative moods, stress, fears, anxieties, sadness and anger. Releasing this negativity clears your mind and creates space for joy and abundance.
As you journal, feel free to look around for inspiration, (i recommend pinterest).
Have you ever or do you journal?
Let me know, let’s chat in the comment box below!
I wish you the best
-Love & Peace-
Fayne A. Soida 🤎
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May 28th – highlighting the global importance of hygienic menstrual management
This past weekend was global menstrual hygiene day and this years theme is Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health Now! So although the day has passed, let’s not forget our cause.
Did you know about this day? From the responses I got from my social media, not nearly enough people know about it and its time that changed.
How much do you really think about your period?
Its about that time of the month, what first comes to mind?
For me, it’s prep time I make sure I have tampons, hot water bottle, snacks, green tea and painkillers lingering just in case.
Sound familiar?
Recently, I’ve had a conversation on menstruation going on my instagram and a majority of the responses inculded the use of painkillers due to painful cramps and a variety of sanitary products (disposable pads, reusable pads, tampons and menstrual cups).
Menstruation is a monthly reality for billions of women around the globe. Yet in many countries menstrual poverty continues to be a crisis.
Think about your monthly cycle, did your aids help you? Were you in pain or uncomfortable? Did your additional aids ease the process?
Now, put yourself in their shoes.
Why is Menstrual Hygiene Day Celebrated?
The day is about breaking taboos around menstruation, raising awareness and promoting good menstrual hygiene. A special day for the ladies, one where we celebrate the woman as a creator, her womb and the blessing that she and her body is, changing the current negative narrative.
Art by @handlettered.by.kajal
I see the pain and hurt that discrimination, myths, stigma and taboos cause.
On this day pnwards I encourage you to research on the matter and reach out, lend a hand to the underprivileged as they do not have access to reliable information, sanitary products and facilities.
For many of us, we may not think too much of our cycle but for millions of women the blessing our wombs is treated like a curse. In some cultures, young girls entering womanhood and beginning their cycle may lead to child marriage, as young as 13.
Breaks my heart.
Period poverty pushes girls to the corner, without access to sanitary products girls are forced to stay home. Leaving them at a disadvantage to the boys in her class, resulting in a high female dropout rate. In desperation for hygiene and to stay in school young girls have had sex for pads. As men take advantage of their lack of sexual knowledge and need.
That is not a world i want to live in. What about you?
As i continue my purpose and speak to my sisters , I sympathize more and more and with each day I am more determined. Looking into their eyes, hearing their stories, breaks my heart but I also see hope all around me. I know that through my voice I add to theirs and so can you.
Everyone can do simple things to make a difference, and every little bit really does count.
Young girls are forced to sleep outside their homes because they are ‘too dirty’.
I arrived at one of the school and off to the side of my eye I saw a girl seated in the dirt. She was sat over a hole in the dirt, for the soil to soak her blood.
…
During your menstrual period your uterus contracts to help expel its lining and you may have light to severe menstrual cramps as the muscles contract. Millions of women report to have painful periods. In the past I have had painful cramps and as per my social media many of you have experience mild to severe menstrual cramps.
“When men are oppressed it’s a tragedy, when women are oppressed it’s tradition”
Letty Cottin Pogrebin (Author, Journalist, Lecturer and Social Activist)
“What about the moments your wife is pain and in need of some rest” I asked
“That’s why you have two, when one is done you use the other.” he replied leaving me in disbelief spoke of his wife like a broken machine.
We need to raise awareness and work together to achieve the 2030 sustainable development goals so as to allow young girls and women to be free to enjoy thier basic human rights and needs.
Girls are losing opportunities and I will not stand by and watch. Will you?
“A woman should never have that much money’. Grown, educated man, to my face. I couldn’t believe it.
A packet of disposable sanitary pads with 32 individual pads– Ksh300 ($3) A packet of reusable pads that can be safely used for a year are Ksh500 ($5).
Illustration by Denise Lackner
I can’t believe it, people like these is why my voice on the matter will only get louder.
“Whatever one frequently thinks and ponders upon, that will become the inclination of his mind.” – Buddha
Everything is made up of energy that’s vibrating at a certain frequency. Your thoughts too have their own frequency. Using positive affirmations you can reprogram your thoughts and begin to vibrate at a higher frequency.
Your conscious mind jumps from one thought to another at such a rapid rate that you may have forgotten or not be aware of the immense amount of power that each thought carries. The power you carry. According to the National Science Foundation on average a person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day with 95% of them being repetitive. Your subconscious mind is subjective, meaning it relays on the commands of your conscious mind and therefore if those repeated thoughts are of negative energy with low vibration that is what you will become and what you will attract. Because when it comes to our thoughts, what we think is what we become.
Everything you repeatedly say to yourself be it out loud or your internal dialogue are affirmations and these become a part of your identity. Therefore it is important to pay attention to your thoughts, be aware of negatives thoughts even if you think you’re doing it lightly, as a joke, your subconscious mind is not able to pick that out. And as you continue to speak or think negativity into your life your subconscious picks them as negative affirmations. Remember that each thought has a frequency and you attract into your life what you focus on and what vibrates at the same frequency.
Who am I to be telling you about the power of affirmations? Why should you keep reading?
I fought my way through social anxiety, I had allowed the vile words of others to get to me, control how I viewed the world and even worse how I viewed myself. But through affirmations I regained control and they became such a part of me that I was shocked when someone told me they admired my energy and disinterest in negative people as I knew I would not let them affect me. I had become comfortable in being a wallflower, afraid of judgement and full of self-doubt. Walking with my head down as anxiety took over my thoughts, controlled me and held me back. If only I knew then, what I know now. I learned that the more I was vulnerable and open the more others felt comfortable sharing their stories, be it with me or inspired to open up to others. I have seen the impact I have had with these conversations and won’t stop now.
I hope you too are on this beautiful journey, ready to affirm yourself from your doubts and fears and into the highest version of self.
Many times we try our best to push away all the thoughts and try our best to focus on the positive but what happens to all the negative thoughts? What happens to the voice that tells you aren’t good enough? Have you ever tried pushing it to the back of your mind but just when you feel as though you’ve made progress it all comes back? That’s because pushing it aside is just that. You must first acknowledge them and work through them.
Think of your mind as a house, all these doubts and fears crowd your space and get in the way of you redecorating (your growth). You push these boxes to a room you never use but as your grow in your space your space is limited because there lays a room full of unwanted boxes, a room that could be used for other things, a room that you could grow into. You may decide it’s time for a fresh start, clear the whole house and start on a clean slate. Let’s think about that, as you start on a clean slate you pick out the bits you love and continue with them but in order to pick these up you must first go through each part, including those boxes you hide away in order.
To go through the process you must be honest with yourself, this is your journey and no one else’s, make yourself comfortable and open up because you cannot control others, cannot control the world but you can control your reaction so build a foundation that will make you strong and above negativity. Treat this with the same love and care you would if it were your closest friend reaching out to you (we’re often quick to encourage and support others with care and yet we do not give ourselves the same deep attention)
List your negative thoughts, be honest with yourself. Write down your fears, failures, insecurities, the things that stress you and any anger or regrets you may have.
Step 2
For every negative thought written down write a positive affirmation to counter it. For example
I am not good enough
I am worthy of all I desire in life
I can’t …
I can do whatever I put my mind to
Bad things keep happening to me
I attract positivity into my life
I’ll never be like them
I am unique and that is my power
I am not smart enough
I am intelligent and work hard
I understand that some affirmations may be uncomfortable because they carry so much emotion behind them such as ‘I love and accept myself’. Be open and honest, write down the parts about you that you do not like, be it with your appearance or character and counter each one with love.
Step 3
Visualize yourself as the person you aim to be, achieving your goals and your success. Connect your emotions as you picture your higher self and see this not as a dream you’re reaching out to but feel the moment as if it were right now.
Our minds are incredibly powerful but we often pay little attention to the details and store the difficult parts away, keeping our minds busy and distracted from our true selves. But what happens when you’re all alone? Left with your thoughts? Can you live like that or have distractions been keeping you going?
It takes work but you’ve made it this far into the read, that is for a reason. Acknowledge the power of your mind and use it.
Remember,
As you write your affirmations be sure to use the words I AM
Use the present tense as you must truly embrace and embody your new truth
State in the positive. Remember “Whatever one frequently thinks and ponders upon, that will become the inclination of his mind.” – Buddha
Keep it brief and specific
Do not simply say or think these but connect your emotions
Repeat in front of a mirror, every morning, and night and whenever you notice a negative thought, counter it.
I hope this has been useful and remember, it’s okay if you do not believe the positive counterpart just yet but it is important that you continue to affirm positivity into that area.
I would love to know if this helped you or at least made you think more about it.
Here are examples of affirmations to help you on your journey.
Gratitude. What comes to mind when you read the word? Gratitude.
Gratefulness and thankfulness. Gratitude is the feeling of appreciation for what you have and then putting that energy right back into the universe.
Gratitude is the antidote to greed or sense of lacking. You see, when you’re thankful everything gets a little brighter. In a world with so much pain, hurt and injustice it is easy to lose the connection with the things we have to be grateful for. Looking within and reflecting on all that you have to be grateful for allows you to see just how fortunate you are. Shifting your focus and thus raising your vibration.
I start my day with my gratitude journal and I feel the rise of my frequency as my energy expands with gratitude and open up to continuous blessings. I am grateful for the people who positively impact my life and my continous growth. Ever had a day where everything seems to just not be going your way? Well, luckily now even on those days I’ll sigh and go ‘Well, at least..’ and fill that spot with anything I’m grateful for and that immediatly shifts my focus. Also, I’ve found that having a gratitude journal is great for one’s self perception as you continue to learn self and embrace positive feelings towards self and the phenomenal person I am.
“Life is beautiful” my brother says and it truly is. Embrace each moment and where there is obstacle search for the silver lining.
Gratitude will help you increase positive feelings and happiness. It allows you to better manage your stress and stay focused on the right thing! (High vibrations on this site) Being grateful will impact all areas of your life- your mood, health, relationship and overall satisfaction. Gratitude will better self perception and enhance your self esteem and mental strenght. Moreover as you are aware and appreciative of what you have you gain empathy and focus. This is a great healthy habit to have. Ever so often you may find yourself overthinking, over analyzing and thinking of worst case scenarious. Maybe you’re so focus on your future you aren’t taking the time to appreciate your now.
12 Thought Provoking Gratitude Questions to Ask Self:
What am I grateful for? You’re reading this. Be grateful for the gift that is the air you breathe, for life.
What life experience have I had that I’m grateful for? (Good or Bad).
What aspect of my personality am I grateful for?
Who do I appreciate?
What made me smile or laugh recently?
What abilities do I posses and are grateful for?
What is something that happened today/this week that I am grateful for?
What is different today as oppose to last year that I am grateful for?
What in nature inspires me? Why?
What was the last song I danced to?
How have I used your talents and abilities recently and what have you enjoyed about doing that?
In what way can I help others?
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Ways to be grateful on a Regular Basics
Graditude Journal; write down 4 things which you are grateful for each day and/or assign a time and day to write what you are grateful for that week.
Thank someone; express your gratitude to someone in your life that you appreciate. This can be through various mediums, be it a phone, video call or for a more personal touch a thank you note!
Meditate; focusing in your present, mindfullness
Pray; give thanks to a Divine being
Remember, to truly appreciate and be grateful for all that you have. Gratitude will help raise your frequency, and bring you closer to your higher self as you connect with with something greater than self but other people, animals, nature or a Divine power.
I am grateful for the gift of life. I am grateful for my ability and passion for helping others and I am grateful for each of one you who read, and continue to support me. Continue to spread the love in all that you do!
-Love and Peace-
Fayne A. Soida 🤎
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