Whether they are physical or emotional, we all have our scars. For years, I despised mine and hated my body for failing me.
Inspiration
I’m okay, I’m okay, I’m okay
This is for anyone out there who is hurting right now. When I was in my darkest depression and couldn’t stand to get out of bed and was crying every day and wasn’t sure if I really wanted to live, I would keep repeating “I’m okay, I’m okay, I’m okay” even though I didn’t believe it.
Practice daily acts of kindness to yourself
When I was in the thick of my depression, I couldn’t always see something of beauty to post. But I knew that on those tough days it was even more important to find something.
We are in control of what we choose to focus on
A good reminder to start off the week – We are in control of what we choose to focus on. Focus on the good things in your life, especially during the tough times. It will make such a difference in how you feel. ️
I Choose Beauty is…
Congrats on making it through the #IChooseBeauty Photo Challenge! You should be proud of yourself. Look at all the pictures you posted over the past two weeks – they are proof of all the beauty in your world.
#IChooseBeauty Photo Challenge starts in 3 days
Challenge starts Monday, January 18! Join me and get daily email prompts for two weeks telling you what “thing of beauty” to photograph. Share your image on Instagram using the hashtag #IChooseBeauty. It’s 14 days of guided beauty treasure hunts to help change how you see the world.
#IChooseBeauty Photo Challenge starts in 4 days
Challenge starts Monday, January 18! Join me and get daily email prompts for two weeks telling you what “thing of beauty” to photograph. Share your image on Instagram using the hashtag #IChooseBeauty. It’s 14 days of guided beauty treasure hunts to help change how you see the world.
#IChooseBeauty Photo Challenge starts in 6 days
Challenge starts Monday, January 18! Join me and get daily email prompts for two weeks telling you what “thing of beauty” to photograph. Share your image on Instagram using the hashtag #IChooseBeauty. It’s 14 days of guided beauty treasure hunts to help change how you see the world.
#IChooseBeauty Photo Challenge starts in 7 days
Challenge starts Monday, January 18! Join me and get daily email prompts for two weeks telling you what “thing of beauty” to photograph. Share your image on Instagram using the hashtag #IChooseBeauty. It’s 14 days of guided beauty treasure hunts to help change how you see the world.
Plan things to look forward to
This time of year can be especially tough. When the holidays are over but winter isn’t, one thing that helps me cope is to plan things to look forward to. It’s like a double bonus – having something to look forward to shifts my focus to something good + I get to enjoy what was planned when the time comes.
90% of happiness is your perception of the environment, only 10% is the environment itself
Research finds 90% of happiness is your perception of the environment, only 10% is the environment itself. That just blows me away! But it really shows how much control we have over our happiness.
Celebrate each step you make, no matter how small
Celebrate each step you make, no matter how small. Each one is a victory. Please remember that.
Focus on the good
Focus on the good, especially during life’s tough times. Be gentle with yourself and start by recognizing the small things that are good in your life – like your morning coffee/tea, a pretty flower, a moment with a friend. Shifting your attention to the good things may not make your challenges go away, but it will help you get through them.
You never know what someone is going through
You never know what someone is going through. Be kind. You could be the only beauty in their day.
Just breathe
When things get crazy stressful, this is a reminder to myself and to you to just breathe. Take a few minutes every day to inhale calm and exhale stress.
Don’t be so hard on yourself
Take a few minutes every day to compliment yourself and reflect on what you have accomplished, no matter how small. This has always been a tough one for me. I’m still learning to be a little kinder to myself. #mondaymotivation #IChooseBeauty
It is going to be okay
Sometimes very basic words are all you need to make it through the day. When I was in the thick of my depression, I would repeat to myself, “It is going to be okay” over and over.
Train your brain like you exercise your body
When you’re depressed, it takes a lot of work to shift your mind away from negative thinking. Once you start feeling good, don’t make the mistake of stopping those efforts.
To feel good, you must be able to see good
It’s not always easy to see the good. When things are going wrong and life gets tough, of course that’s what you will notice and feel. But if you can get yourself to find just one good thing a day, it will shift your focus, if even for a moment. The more good things you are able to see, the better you will feel about your life.
This too shall pass
Whenever the world comes crashing down around you and you feel like there’s no relief in sight, try repeating the phrase, “This too shall pass…”
Once you stop looking for happiness, you find it
Ever thought to yourself, once I get that amazing job/house/boyfriend etc. then I’ll be happy? What if I told you that the secret to finding that elusive happiness is actually to stop chasing it.
Savor the laughter
It’s inevitable – life is going to hit you with some tough blows, struggles, sadness. That’s life. But there will also be moments of joy. At some point during my therapy, I realized how important it is to really SAVOR the laughter.
3 questions to answer every day
Take just a few minutes to answer these 3 questions every day. It will help you feel good about yourself and your life. I like to write my answers in a journal. It is one of the best exercises I’ve found to train my brain to be positive. Let me know how it works for you!
Keep going, even when you don’t think you can
Ever have times when life throws you one punch after another… after another? You feel so overwhelmed that you don’t know how much more you can take.