I had a moment tonight where I realized how incredibly proud of myself I am. Not because of what you might think, but because I’m beginning to see a huge difference in how I feel mentally.
This year has been an incredible growth year for me, not only in my business but as an individual. Specifically, in the past few months I’ve noticed a huge shift in my mindset and the way I feel about myself. It’s become much more positive! It hasn’t just happened overnight. It’s taken a lot of intentional action to get to a better state of mind. And because I thought maybe a few of you might find it helpful, here’s what the journey has looked like for me.
I struggle a bit with anxiety (not chronic, but to me it can feel crippling when it hits) and going down dark holes sometimes (I am really good at worst case scenario-izing). A big part of it is because I’m a natural people-pleaser – something I’ve been becoming more aware of (the first step towards progress!). But, there are other factors, too.
The biggest factor has been my physical health. I’ve never had any health problems or allergies (I’m so grateful for that!), but I’ve completely taken advantage of that. Even though I’m a vegetarian, I love eating lots of carbs & fatty foods with no vegetables. I also have never exercised regularly and it can be hard to keep myself motivated. Since I knew those were two big factors for me, I started thinking of ways I could ask for help & begin making changes.
I Got a Gym Membership
Yes, gym memberships are expensive. I knew that, but I was determined to find a way to get one! I checked out a few places around Bloomington and took one of OrangeTheory’s free first-timer classes. I. was. hooked. There were other girls there my age, and everyone was so nice! The way the class was set up was perfect for me – upbeat music, instructors keeping you motivated, 3 different stations that you rotate through to mix it up…and being able to see what your heart rate is so you can keep track of your progress! I’d never enjoyed working out more. From that point on I began scheming up ways to get a membership with them. I figured out how much income I needed to make in order to justify it, and then figured out what I needed to book in order to reach that income goal. One month later, with a little help from Cyber Monday, I reached that goal and got a membership. It has been everything I dreamed and more. I feel on top of the world after every class, I’m already feeling stronger (both mentally & physically!), and I’m looking forward to connecting with more people in my community!
I Began Dressing Nicer – & Doing My Hair!
This has been a big one for me! I began to notice that anytime I straightened or curled my hair, I felt more confident and productive during the day. So I took note. I’ve taken to styling my hair 2-3 times a week and wearing outfits that I love. Having a clothing budget has helped a lot with this! It’s allowed me to slowly build up my wardrobe with pieces I know I’ll be able to wear longer & pair with more outfits. When I feel like I look good, I feel so much more accomplished!
I Read A Lot of Books
There are soooo many good books out there, and I’m still making my way through them. Here are some of my favorites so far that have made a big impact on my mental health:
- How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t
- You Are a BadA$$ at Making Money
- Preach to Yourself (so good!! This one has religious context to it!)
These books have left me so inspired and invigorated, and they all have incredibly good advice & direction towards actively pursuing a more positive outlook.
I’m Trying to Cook More
This one is still a work in progress, but I’m getting there. I’m making an attempt to cook more meals at home (instead of just heating up a ramen-to-go-cup), and with vegetables. Fresh produce was heavily lacking from my diet so that’s been one of the first changes I’ve made! Apples & bananas. There’s also a food blogger in town who I follow on Insta (@vegetarianventures) and seeing her recipes has strengthened my desire to cook healthy dishes for myself! It’s all about what you surround yourself with!
So there you have it. I’m still working towards better-ing my mental & physical health, but I’m already feeling much more better than I did a few months ago. And these are a few reasons why! I still have some goals I want to reach (like finding a good therapist), but this has been a really good start!
Moral of the story? Take care of yourself. Think about the times when you felt like your best self. What makes you happy? Writing those things down will give you an idea of what you should begin pursuing more of in order to feel your best self.
Cheering for you!!
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