Any personal growth begins with caring enough about yourself to make positive changes. It happens when you stop putting others, excuses, and justifications first, and bring the focus back to you. It's created through long lasting habit formation, realistic goal setting, and self motivation. You have to want to feel good, you have to want to change, but none of it is possible if you're doing it for anyone but yourself.
You'll see that as you learn to respect and love yourself more, things will naturally fall into place - things that we have all struggled with. You'll eat nourishing foods because you care about your body and the benefits they bring, not because someone told you to. You'll eat these foods when you are hungry, not when the clock tells you it's time; the body is pretty amazing at knowing what it needs and signaling you at the appropriate time. You'll learn how much food is not enough, too much, or just right. Food is one of the best ways to learn about your body from the inside out! What foods make you feel better than others? Did you notice a change in your joint pain when you decided to remove gluten? What portions give you an energy boost rather than leaving you feel sluggish? And, most importantly, what works for you? - Eating Paleo, Whole 30, Keto, low-carb, low-fat, every 2 hours, every 6 hours, no fruit after 6:00, no food after 8 - not one thing works for everyone. Learn about your body and your needs to formulate the best nutrition for the best you.
You'll exercise and rest in a way that honors your body. You'll crank up the intensity or back the hell off. You'll take rest days because you need them (remember, a work out routine is balancing exercise and rest) which will avoid over training, time for muscle fiber repair, and time to gear up for what's next. You'll say no to movements or a pace that isn't right for you, and tune into your body as you go. You'll start exercising because of the health benefits and because you respect your body enough to do so, and not because you really want that dessert or drink later. You'll learn to remove the comparison to others and exercise specifically to your body's needs and capabilities.
You'll create your tribe by eliminating people who bring negativity to your life. You'll realize the importance of quality relationships, and crave those that leave you feeling uplifted, cared for, respected, and nourished. It will become easier to say no to people or situations that are not desirable, and every time you allow yourself to turn down an invitation, you grow your self respect a bit more. You'll feel energy shifts around friends and family that will tell you exactly who your tribe is and isn't. Hang onto the positivity like your life depends on it, and limit the negativity when possible. Your emotional health is in your hands and effects everyone around you- protect it. This is the best way to become the greatest version of you; the best mother, the best spouse, the best friend, daughter, cousin, sibling...you name it. The best you is a happy you. Create this happiness and protect the hell out of it.
You'll know when you need something. A career change? More from your marriage? Time alone? More time with children or friends? The body and mind feels uneasy when something is out of balance. It's your job to learn enough about yourself to discover where that imbalance lies, what it means, and how to correct it. Tuning in on this level allows your personal needs to be very clear. You will crave what you need - you just have to learn to listen to these cravings and make them a priority. Remember, we have time for what we make time for, so be sure to prioritize yourself.
Food, exercise, relationships and specific needs are part of the daily cycle of life. How can we expect to be true to ourselves if we don't pay attention to each and every one of these? Personal growth is an amazing tool we all possess. It's how we can continue to improve, to learn about ourselves, to create health and happiness, and ultimately, that life we don't need a vacation from. Learn to love yourself enough to want to make these changes, and you'll be surprised just how naturally they will occur.
