TWENTY TWO; THE YEAR OF SELF LOVE

self-love

noun

1. 
   
2. regard for one's own well-being and happiness.
3. 
   
4. 
   
5. 
   

   Self-care is all the little ways we take care of ourselves to avoid a breakdown in different areas of health such as physical, spiritual and mental. Practicing self care will help you feel more connected to yourself and the world around you.

1. It is important, you are important.
2. 
   
3. 
   

How Love and Care for Yourself More

1. Interrupt the denigrating, negative self talk. 

2. Don’t beat yourself up when you get something wrong. 

3. Give yourself credit for the ways you’ve changed and grown. 

4. Say something good about yourself everyday. 

5. Refuse to fixate on the things that could go wrong. 

6. Believe that you are worthy of unconditional love.

Here are a few things you can do to reinforce self care & love into your everyday life.

 Be selfish. Do one thing today just because it makes you happy.

Make decisions differently. If you normally go with your heart, go with your head or vice versa.

Soak in the atmosphere. Sit somewhere green, and be quiet for a few minutes.

Help others. Hold the door, pay for a strangers bill at the coffee shop, carry shopping bags for someone.

Say no to negativity. It may just be social media but constantly seeing negative posts / complaining can suck the life out of you. Most of the time you're not in control of what pops up on your feed however when you can delete, mute or block negative followers. 

Try a new route to work. Create new neural pathways in the brain to keep it healthy by switching up your routine. 

Date night. Have a date night with yourself! I know what you're thinking "I'm always with myself" This time, spend an hour or so doing something you love. Something that nourishes you. (visit a gallery, gardening, read a book, go to a comedy show, etc.)

Compliment yourself. Tell yourself things like...I love my freckles, I have amazing eyes, I made myself a delicious dinner today, I'm a fabulous mum/dad. 

Headphones in. Spend some time listening to songs that make you happy. Create a happy playlist, plug those headphones in and enjoy your evening.

Light it up. Scented candles to relax your mood whilst praying, meditating or bathing can help create a calm atmosphere.

Ask for help. your doctor, your parents, your manager or a friend. Let people know you need some help. This is super important!

Stay positive x

   DazhaneLeahPhotography

If you haven't guessed from the title of the post I recently turned 22.

YAS hunty. Ya girl is feeling twenty two *flicks hair*

Ok.. So.. umm, My birthday was actually a month ago but this post still counts. (still accepting gifts btw)

I loved my outfits and had to share them with y'all! Above are 2/4 of my birthday outfits.

I always aim to wear bright colours for my birthday (it's also become a tradition to wear a co-ord and/or wide leg pants), its not even to stand out, its just my melanin pops severely against all those colours likkeee *sips cocktail*. The duck egg blue was something new. Out of all the pale/pastel colours in the world i hadn't tried blue but it looks amazziing in different textures. 

Missguided choker - Green co-ord (made by a tailor) - Simmi perspex boots

Ebay choker - Missguided bralet - Missguided trousers - Pretty little thing heels

THE NINETIES

Bershka bodysuit - Zara jacket - Topshop socks - Ebay sandals

What to do if you're uninspired

So the story kinda goes like this ...

You have a dream. 

On the way to achieving that goal the 'dominoes' you carefully placed start wobbling. Every time you adjust a few, another shakes. Then JUST when you thought you had everything in check, they all go crashing down. 
defeated.

Now you're exhausted, bored of everything and most importantly uninspired.

You're at a point where you feel so drained.

You see everyone doing things with their life but you struggle to take the steps to pursue anything for yourself.

Here are some ways to snap out of your lack of inspiration

Accept

First step to moving on, is accepting what has happened. Believe me its easier said than done! However YOU are in control. Do not allow loss, pain or negativity to carry on in your life.

Write a list

Buy a cute notepad and write down the things you want to do, start or even finish. make this notepad become your love pad. scribble your ideas and aspirations in it and begin to set goals.

  OHH DEER notepad via asos

 Sainsbury's impressionist notebook

Create a mood board 

A mood board is an arrangement of images, materials and text. You should include things you are passionate about, things you would like to try and where you see your self in the future. You can create them online or make one at home, just remember to mount it somewhere visible. This is a great way to keep you motivated on a daily basis. 

Try something new

Get on wowcher and pick an activity you'd never think of trying and do it. Join your local gym, go speed dating or even start a business venture.

Connect with people

Put yourself in a position to meet new people. Ask a stranger how their day was, go to networking events etc. Find and follow organisations you are interested in on social media, you seeing them post may encourage you to get the ball rolling.

Get creative
Do something that requires you to stop thinking and start doing. This could be re decorating, writing or painting.

Let God
Most importantly when experiencing all of these negative feelings, seek God. 
Pray when you feel hurt, confused and lost. Keep him in the center of everything whether its your job/career or marriage. Do not let your feelings rob you of praising God when things arent going well

Don't limit yourself

You can only grow if you're willing to feel uncomfortable.

 Aim high, do not plan on achieving the 'easiest' goals. Set out to achieve the biggest dream you have. Challenges are inevitable and that's why perseverance is a major key. You need to understand that only you can create the change you want to feel or see. Know that you are capable of anything you put your mind to. It may not happen over night but if keep pushing that dream it will surely happen.

really hope this helps

denim game too strong

How to up your denim game 

Photography by Harmony

Here are 3 simple ways to up ya denim game...

⁃

Double it. So there was this unwritten rule that once said you shouldn't wear two denim items at once but guess whatttt... It's 2016 (plus it's never that deep) so get layering that denim. If your new to the trend or worried about looking excessive try pairing denim with other shades of blue to mimic the look.

Do it yourself. Revive it. Yes honeys, Time to get those tools out and bring life your own denim. 

• If you have mum jeans try cutting them into shorts. This will create the perfect high waisted shorts for summer.
• Create accessories from old denim like chokers and bracelets. 
• Cropped jeans from skinnies.
•  Badges and patches are everywhere, add a few to your denim jacket. Ebay have a variety at reasonable prices so check there first.
• Splash paint on your jeans. Learn how to create this look here
•  Create bags/purses from those jeans that are too small. 
• Distressing takes *turns around cardi b voice* forevaaaa but that hard work will defo save those coins and it will be according to how you like it.

Experiment. Buy some new denim. how about denim boots? (if you have $$$$ to spare here are the RIHANNAxMANOLO denim beauties) a cropped denim jacket? Perhaps denim in your favourite colour? Whatever it is, TRY SOMETHING NEW. It doesn't have to be from a high street store either, There are loads of people getting rid of unwanted and even unworn clothes. Check out places like Depop, Asos market place and your local vintage store for some hidden gems. 

ASYMMETRIC HEM JEANS - BERSHKA

EVIL DAD HAT - DRTY

JULIA DENIM HEELS - PUBLIC DESIRE

Jacket - Tee - Skirt (similar here) - Socks - Chocker - Shoes

ciao