Self-love inspired by Gala

I went out on the town last night and once again confirmed how much I hate clubs. I hate how crowded they are and that no one minds pushing others out of the way. I hate the game, that guys, and girls I suppose, only want one thing. I hate that I feel that I can't breathe properly and I hate always being on guard. It's definitely not my scene. It was fun going out with my sister though. It was strange seeing her drunk and how she changes so much. I guess it's an extension of herself and it's funny I haven't seen that side of her yet after 21 years together. I'll endeavour to see it again to know her better.

I am feeling a little bit off today after last night. I want to have a shower but for the last few weeks we've had problems with the pipes and dad and the neighbours are trying to fix it now so I'm putting off getting clean while they work. I thought I'd mention the pipes as I usually wouldn't, and haven't up until this point, because I usually talk about my experiences and feelings on here. I'm not one for describing the world around me and one day, reading back on this, I would like to remember details like the pipes. I should start doing that more.

Things to add to my lists from here --

+ Stretch in the mornings.
It gets the blood moving, it fires up your brain and it gives you a few moments to just be still and grounded before the day begins.

+ Have media black-out days.
Stay away from your computer, phone and television for an entire day. Those of us are who technology addicts will FREAK out at this idea but that’s an even bigger sign that we should try it. So many of us use technology to distract ourselves and keep our minds busy, when we would be far better served by just sitting still and learning to be comfortable alone.

+ Take a bubble bath wearing a tiara

+ Embrace the unknown.
Not everything needs to be planned to the last minute detail! Mystery is wonderful and invigorating. It is the zest of life.

+ Clean out your closet.
In addition to getting rid of old junk, cleaning out closets or cupboards is therapeutic because at the same time, you’re clearing space in your life for new, better things.

+ Forget about your “to do” list and just BE.
That’s when you’ll have the most fun, make the best breakthroughs and experience the most amazing adventures. Life is much more exciting and wonderful when you throw caution to the wind and do something ridiculous.

-- I've always wanted to do this, feel pretty and proper and at my best everyday. This will be a challenge --

+ Make a little extra effort every day.
Your definition of “effort” could be wearing a bow on your head, brightly coloured socks or even just taking the time to sit down with a book every night before bed. Just pick something that you know will make you feel good, and then do it.

-- I want to get an alarm clock that has animal noises, like on Gilmore Girls. Then again, I use my phone as an alarm so it might be hard to adjust and trust that the alarm will work --

+ Change your alarm clock to something which makes you smile.

-- This is a big one. What am I waiting for? --

+ Be good to your body.
You probably know what that means for you. So what are you waiting for?

+ Be vibrant and colourful.
If not in dress, then in word and deed. The world has enough grey! Be the antidote!

+ Do something you’ve been afraid to do.

+ Nourish yourself.

Get still and listen to what your body is telling you it really needs.

+ Get more sunshine.
It really will make you feel so good. In addition to strengthening your immune system, muscles and bones, Vitamin D also stimulates the pineal gland, which is the part of the brain responsible for producing happy feelings.

+ Recognise that life is only ever what you make it.

So why not make it magical, wonderful, beautiful and strange?

+ Run away

Spend some time by yourself or with a close friend. Escape the usual. Go somewhere you’ve never been, spend some time, soak it up. It will shake up your vision of what the world is like and give you a fresh new perspective on things.

+ Dress up for yourself.
Wear things which make you happy! Don’t dress to “attract a mate” or to impress your peer group, wear things that you like. Make yourself happy!

+Be your own superhero.

+ Make magic every day
It’s worth the small amount of extra effort to cultivate a more beautiful life.

+ Don’t live your life online.

+ Volunteer.

+ Be your own best friend.

+ Innovate.
Try new things. Shake up your routine. See what works.

+ Evaluate your life and ruthlessly cut out the things which aren’t working ...
+ ... While at the same time keeping this in mind:
“Simply put, you believe that things or people make you unhappy, but this is not accurate. You make yourself unhappy.” Thanks, Wayne Dyer.

+ Come up with your own definition of spirituality.
It doesn’t have to be religious or woo-woo in any way, it can just be a way of reconnecting yourself to the present moment. Some people do this by dancing, others by meditating. Whatever it is, make time for it in your life, and make it a priority.

+ Share your dreams.
Do not be afraid. When you share a dream with someone who loves you, you open yourself up to new ideas, new contacts and sometimes an extra pair of hands to pitch in! Be brave.

+ Reinvent yourself as an expression of pure love.

+ Think about what you want the theme of your life to be.
Is it an epic love story or a grand adventure? Or is the theme something more simple, and able to be summed up with a single word? “Discovery” or “freedom”? How can you bring that theme into your everyday life?

+ Celebrate the ways in which you have grown & changed.
Growth is good, change is wonderful, evolution is fantastic. It’s proof that we’re on a path, that we’re going somewhere, that we’re living out our story to its full potential. Bake yourself a cake or somethin’!

+ Embrace your power.

+ Start dressing in a way which makes you feel sexy and confident
As opposed to just following what’s in style. Not all silhouettes suit all people. There are definitely styles that are best for individual body types. Once you know what works for you, make the most of it! Few things make you feel better than knowing that you look great.

+ Love everyone.
Even when they hurt you, even when they don’t get it, even when they don’t listen and even when they behave badly. When you love, miracles happen.

+ Take yourself on dates.
Get dressed up and go to the library, eat a delicious lunch next to the river, ride your bike around the city & make the best dinner you possibly can.

+ Forgive yourself.
It’s all in the past. Time to move on, babe.

+ Just love yourself.
No matter the circumstances. You are always good enough, you always deserve it and you are always beautiful, despite what you might think or believe. Just love yourself.

So there you have it. Self-love 101.

Self-love inspired by Sometimes Sweet

In the name of Sometimes Sweet's post --

What I love about myself. This is going to be a little hard at first but it'll do me some good. I am too often thinking about the bad things, like being lazy or sometimes negative, but it's about time I celebrated what I love about myself. Thanks, Danielle!

+ I really love those times when I look in the mirror and can recognize that I'm pretty and that I do love my looks. Sure, I'm not a beauty queen, but I am cute and once I've showered, washed my hair and made myself up I do love how I look. This isn't always the case and I am struggling to say I love how I look but it is true. I do have those moment when I am happy I look the way I do. I've been told I look English and that makes me very proud. My dad is English and my whole family comes from there, even if it is a few generations back, and I love my heritage. That's a huge part of the reason I want to get my surname tattooed on my wrist. Being told I look the part made my day.

+ I love that I am loyal to my friends and family. The few friends I have are really close friends and I love this. I don't need a huge amount of acquaintances to make me feel great. Actually I don't like those kind of meetings where you kind of know someone and feel obliged to go over and say hello. That doesn't make me happy. I love having close relationships with a few and building on them. If any one of them were in trouble I would race over there in a second.

+ When I'm in love or in a relationship, I love how I feel. I love being in love and I love how much I care for that person and I love how fulfilled I feel. I can't wait to fall in love again. I want it to be the one.

+ I love how optimistic I am about love, the future, and when my time will come to get married and start a family. I often wonder if it'll happen in the general vicinity of the time frame I want it to but deep down I know it'll all happen in good time, when I'm ready. I want it to be next year when I'm in Sydney but then again it all depends.

+ I love how I am very in tune with how my words can affect those around me, those I love. This isn't always the case in Hospitality but that's another story. I remember when I was a bit younger, sometimes I wouldn't say the nicest things to my mum, or I wouldn't appreciate all the chores she does around the house. Now I do [I have since I moved out and moved back home the first time]. I see how much she does and I try not to be a burden as I have faced it all myself and see how much there is to do around the house. It wasn't my plan to be living at home at 24 but it is nice being close to my parents while I'm still living in Tasmania. I can't wait to live in my own home and do my own chores. It'll be hard work but it'll be rewarding and nice not to be leaning and depending on mum to do all that work. I feel guilty now for it. Rarely I do the cooking or laundry and I can't wait to be out of here so there will be less work for mum to do. I love that about myself.

Speaking of living at home, I've been here since May. It's been most of the year and that has only dawned on me. I spent the first few months after Yorick and I broke up healing but now that I'm better I just want to move on with life and that means going to Sydney. My desire to move is huge. I want to be self-sufficient. This is the last time I'll be living with my parents, I will make certain of that. It's time to start living my life and as long as I get accepted to Sydney I can start the life I'm dreaming of. If not, then Melbourne will have to do.

+ I love my passion for travel. I really, really, really want to see the world. I'm probably not going to go to the Middle East, maybe a select few countries from that region, but I'd love to start in Asia then move around Europe at a slower pace for a longer amount of time. I'd love to go to parts of America, both North and South, and Africa. I've done a bit of Oceania and would love to do more. I can't wait to travel more.

+ I love that I want to have kids. I love that I have already got my girls' names [Lena for sure, and maybe Quinn or Marta] and I know once I stumble upon the right boys name [something ancient and mythical] I will love it too. I love spending time with my niece Etta Joy O'Regan. I've never been around babies much and am loving learning about them. Etta is the best teacher. I love how much I love her.

+ I love my musical talent. I love my creative burn. I love my artistic appreciation. I love my desire to be more involved with these loves [getting there is another matter].

+ I love looking forward to Sydney. I love the city so much and can't wait to be a part of it [please].

+ I love my passion for history [despite not studying it much] and ancient artifacts. I can't wait to start studying again! I love learning. I love going to Uni.

I think that's enough for now. It has been nice though. I might make a post in the next few days about what I don't like about myself and ways to improve them, such as being lazy. That's going to be a hard one to combat. As long as I have lots of things to keep me occupied I'll be okay. Discussions for another time.