One of the most important elements of life is to build self-confidence and self-esteem. Without that, we can feel lesser, we’re more likely to accept worse treatment, and we can avoid putting our goals first in lieu of the plans of another.
For this reason, self-esteem is tantamount to self-care, because you have to believe yourself worthy of care in order to enact it. Luckily, this works the opposite way, too. If you care for yourself, then often you’ll begin to grow self-esteem, because why else would you look after yourself if you weren’t worth the effort?
However, sometimes these insights can come across as platitudes, especially when we feel insecure about ourselves. Most often, this comes in the way of feeling insecure about our bodies, which can be a real problem. After all, your body is working to keep you alive at all moments of the day, which is why we should give it a little credit.
Additionally, the ‘flaws’ or ‘blemishes’ you consider to be so unforgivable are likely not that bad in the first place, and so it can’t hurt to give yourself a little credit and celebrate yourself for being unique. In order to feel confident in your body again, especially after weight gain or a big change such as pregnancy, consider the following warm guidance. It’s the least you deserve:
Wear Clothing That Complements You
Many people think that if they can’t fit into, or don’t wear certain clothing as well, that this indicates something wrong with their figure or body type. That’s simply not true at all. No matter how you’re shaped, there’ll be something that looks good on you, that helps you feel confident, and gives you that feeling of beauty and empowerment, or whatever else you’re looking for.
For instance, finding the right swimwear is more than possible should you look to brands that prioritize quality garments overfitting some artificial standard that hardly any of their customers will reach. Feeling confident in your body means taking empowerment in the clothes you wear, rather than feeling defined by fitting into certain clothes. Perhaps some things, no matter what size you are, simply don’t work for you.
That’s fine, because the ratio of garments that will is entirely in your favor. It might be that throwing out those old jeans, re-establishing your style, and doing so unapologetically is key.
Celebrate Your Body
It can be healthy to celebrate your body to the degree you’re comfortable with doing that. This might involve wearing the accessories you find most enjoyable. It might also mean getting that getting a new treatment, dying your hair, or not being afraid to head to the beach.
Having a great smile can also boost your confidence. If you require dental care, you can rid tooth decay with the dentist In Clifton.
Some people don’t really see the point in showing off, but they can still enjoy themselves by wearing clothes that help them feel great – be that trying a new flashy scarf in winter, or taking pictures of a new fit for their Instagram. Celebrating your body could simply involve going for a beautiful, relaxing massage again. This combination of efforts can help you realize that your body is never an enemy to be beaten into submission, but you, a friend to be nourished and nurtured.
Work Out (At Any Size)
Body positivity is essential and deserves our support, but it’s important to remember that there’s nothing quite as ‘body positive’ as taking care of ourselves. This means exercising too, because exercise is an essential element of unlocking our health and helping us live as our best selves.
Working out, at any size, then, is worth the effort. Depending on your current fitness level, you may choose different practices that you enjoy. For some, swimming three times a week is a fantastic means of feeling healthier and more actualized, and the benefits this has for your joints are also worth appreciating.
For some, it might be getting back into yoga, or dancing, or rowing, or simply hiking can help them gain that exercise while also focusing on a discipline that they love. It might be that heading with a friend in the new year can also give you that confidence to begin again.
Compare Yourself To Only You
It’s the easiest thing in the world to compare ourselves to other people. We can do this with anything. Someone might have longer hair than us, or drive a nicer car, or perhaps they’re more stylish, or they seem to have a more fulfilled personal life. But it’s important to recognize that we can never really see the full scope of someone’s life and what that implies.
For this reason, it’s important to compare yourself to you and only you. Don’t try to look like a figure in a magazine, although using their success story as inspiration can be healthy. Just focus on comparing yourself to who you were last week. If you’re better, then that’s great, you’ve already won. If you could do with improving, that’s fine, you can do that.
This can also go for certain bodily considerations, such as slowly building back our flexibility after pregnancy, or building back our lung capacity after suffering from a well-known respiratory virus.
Stay Unapologetic
Staying unapologetic for who you are is important (unless it’s one of those times where you need to be apologetic to someone you care about of course), and it will help you stop asking permission for being who you are, and having your body how it is.
After all, who requires your apology? Almost no one. If you’ve put on some weight, you can lose that, you don’t have to pretend that other people are inconvenienced by it out of some sense of obligation. Keeping that in mind can help you retain your self-worth going into the new year, and most importantly, it helps you stop judging yourself so incredibly harshly.
With this advice, we believe you’ll be sure to feel comfortable in your body again. An approach like that can teach you more about life than you may realize, and develop as the fundamental element of self-esteem.
In response to so many questions asking for a sneak peek of some of the decorations around here, I thought I would share a few photos with you. I def go way overboard for Christmas. I love love the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, so much so, that I watch them all year round, which is why I am not so great about discussing all of the shows that you all binge-watch!!!!! My absolute favorite all-time movie is The Holiday. I can literally watch it every night of the year. So when it comes to decorating…I have to go all out..I mean really all out. I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into our Holiday and I am wishing every single one of you the most joyous Christmas. Thank you all for showing up for me not only during the holidays but for every single day throughout the year!!! XO Nicole
If you are looking for some festive ideas for your holiday celebrations, we have you covered. Here are some easy adorable charcuterie ideas. I really wanted to make the Christmas Tree Charcuterie but I was already given desserts for Christmas Eve so I was hoping one of you would make it and send me photos!!! I also love the snowman and shrimp wreath ideas. Next year I am claiming appetizers!!! Happy Eve before “THE EVE”! Bon Appetit!
Endurance cycling has been gaining a lot of popularity lately, and it seems as though many people have started to wake up to the huge health benefits that it holds. It’s not as difficult as it might seem to get started, and it doesn’t take a lot of experience to make those first miles. After you’ve gained some momentum, it can easily become your favorite way to stay in shape. There are many positive health effects to endurance cycling, some of which you definitely shouldn’t ignore if you’re entering the later stages of your life.
Great Cardio
Everyone needs regular cardio training. It can be annoying, but it’s important for your health, especially if you live a sedentary lifestyle in general. Running is not an attractive option for many people who dislike cardio in general, but cycling is a different story. It’s not that hard to get started with endurance cycling, and it can be a great way to keep your heart (and overall body) in great shape. A good thing about endurance cycling for cardio training is that you can easily vary the difficulty by adjusting the terrain, unlike running which usually requires you to pause for a longer period before making that switch.
Improved Stamina
As the name implies, endurance cycling is also great for improving your endurance. Stamina is an important factor for adults, especially those with young kids. If you don’t have the strength to run after your kids all day long, you won’t be able to spend as much quality time with them as you might wish. Plus, this will give you a better opportunity to apply some proper parenting when they get rowdy – can you imagine if you are physically unable to catch them in the first place? Unfortunately, many people are in that boat, and don’t even put any effort into improving their situations. Avoiding that mistake is one of the best gifts you can give to your future self, so start on that track as early as possible.
Clear Up Your Head
There’s a lot to be said about the link between regular exercise and mental wellbeing too. Many people work out simply because it helps them clear their head and works wonders for keeping their mood in check. This goes double for endurance cycling. You’re not only keeping your body active, but you’re constantly passing through various attractive landscapes, keeping your mind fresh and excited. Then there are some auxiliary benefits that people don’t even realize too often. For example, endurance cycling can predispose you to much better hydration. Monitoring your sweat rate and cycling hydration is crucial for attaining peak performance, and this will help you improve your mental wellbeing in general. Take a look at what Velosurance has to say on the subject – if you’ve never paid attention to the importance of your sweat rate and cycling hydration, you might be interested in the opinion of qualified experts like them.
Bone Health
Your bones are another part of your body that will benefit greatly from endurance cycling, especially if you try to push yourself a bit more here and there. Endurance cycling has been known for quite a while to promote good bone health and improved resilience of the body as a whole. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should be reckless about crashing your bike and potentially breaking something. But after cycling for a long time, you’re going to start noticing certain effects on your bones and overall strength. You’ll feel less rigid and livelier, and this will continue the more you keep on cycling.
A Great Workout for All Ages
Endurance cycling also works well for people of all ages. You don’t have to be at the peak of your youth to take advantage of it. In fact, it’s a popular hobby among many older folks who want to stay in shape without exposing their bodies to too much risk. Since you’re in full control over the stress level of your workout, you can easily adjust it as you grow older and keep things a bit toned down. That said, you might be amazed by how far some people are pushing their bodies at that age, especially those who’ve grown up cycling heavily.
Getting started with endurance cycling is not difficult either. You don’t need an expensive bike for a start (although you’ll definitely want to invest in a good one as you continue), and you should be able to find plenty of information on workout routines online. The only important thing is that you stay persistent and keep pushing forward. Once you’ve gained some momentum, it will be much easier to keep going, and you’ll never want to go back to living your life without getting on your bike a few times a week and exploring the area around you.
Motherhood is undoubtedly a life-changing event that is both thrilling and scary. You now have this frail bundle of joy that depends on you for everything. New mothers receive all sorts of advice, even the unsolicited ones that feel a bit invasive. However, smart advice from experts and real mothers who have gone down that road can be insightful. This article will discuss key pieces of advice you need to know as a new mom.
Take lots of pictures
Well, there is no such thing as too many pictures! Your baby will only be a certain age once, and it is important to capture the memories and milestones as they happen. You will also be able to see how far your child has come and helped them through rough patches in the future.
Ignore the pressure to bounce back
New mothers fall victim to comparing themselves to celebrities or fellow friends, who shrunk back to their pre-baby bodies. Remember that you just grew a baby and that you should pressure yourself to look like a goddess twelve weeks after giving birth. Even when given the go-ahead to exercise, ensure you keep your fitness goals realistic.
Keep yourself grounded
Many mothers assume that they always have to do the most for their children. Remember that your child needs a happy mother who is self-aware, grounded, and ready to take care of herself to be there for her kids. Let others help you where they can.
Know when to wean your child
Weaning will be one decision you will need to make as a mum. It is more or less a personal decision depending on your situation. That said, it is recommended that the baby gets 6 months of breastfeed milk. You can then start weaning the child after a year as long as it suits both of you. You should also know when should babies stop using pacifiers to avoid physical dependency. Be wary though of listening to unsolicited advice will have you questioning things like or when to stop breastfeeding. Learn to ignore unwanted advice and do what is best for your child.
Nourish your body
Your baby needs nutrients from breast milk to stay nourished. Not only do you rely on good nutrition to produce breast milk, but you also need food to fuel your body. Avoid starving yourself and consume nutrient-packed foods rich in zinc, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin B6.
Find a mother’s group
It is important to get in touch with other adults, preferably mothers in the same boat as you. Being locked up in the house with a crying baby will do you no good, especially if you were used to being out of the house.
Trust your instincts
If you have a bad gut feeling about anything to do with your child, do not hesitate to contact a doctor, no matter what anyone else says. You are your child’s mother, and you know what they might need at any point in time.
Disconnect nursing from sleeping
Establish a soothing bedtime routine for your child, such as running a warm bath, offering a bottle of milk then reading them a book. This routine will help you get your little one to sleep without having to nurse.
Final remarks
We hope that this article has provided some wisdom if you are a mum wondering if you are doing it right. As a rule of thumb, don’t be hard on yourself, and be sure to trust your instincts as you move along in the motherhood journey.
If you are planning a wedding reception, birthday bash or anniversary party, consider hiring a professional DJ to supply the music. A professional DJ offers reliability, top-quality equipment and sound, excellent musical variety and experience acting as master of ceremonies.
Reliability
As an event planner, you have enough to think about without wondering if the friend who has agreed to provide music will show up on time and be ready to go. If you hire a professional DJ, on the other hand, you can count on reliability.
Barring some uncontrollable emergency, a professional DJ will arrive on time, set up his or her equipment efficiently, and be ready to go when the event starts. Professional DJs have set up their systems many times and will not get in the way of other event preparations. Your DJ will also be available to meet with you before the event for any last-minute instructions and requests, and you can trust your DJ to remember what you say and put it into action when the time comes.
Top-quality Equipment and Sound
Professional DJs have top-quality equipment that makes your favorite music sound excellent. Your DJ will likely take a look at your venue before the event to make sure he or she uses the proper speakers for the size and layout of the room. Your DJ will also check for sound quality, making adjustments as needed so the music is crisp, clear, and just the right volume. No one at your event need be distracted by muffled lyrics, a too-heavy bass line, or ear-piercing high notes. A professional DJ knows how to use an equalizer to properly balance the sound so the music will be spot-on every time.
Musical Variety
A professional DJ can offer a wide variety of music. He or she likely has access to more artists and songs than you and all your friends put together. That said, though, you should check with your DJ before the event if you have particular requests. Make a list of wedding reception songs, for instance, that includes favorites of the bride, groom, and wedding party, or a list of birthday party songs that reflect the tastes of the guest of honor. Your DJ probably already has these songs available, but if not, he or she can work to access them before the event rather than scrambling at the last minute. Throughout the event, your DJ will provide a balance of musical styles and tempos designed to keep your guests tapping their toes and dancing the whole time.
Master of Ceremonies
Finally, hiring a professional DJ gives you the added bonus of having a master of ceremonies who can direct your guests through your event with charm and efficiency. Give your DJ a schedule beforehand, and ask him or her to take charge of announcing special dances, speeches, cake-cutting and other activities. A professional DJ is also adept at handling music requests from guests and keeping the entire event running smoothly, and this means less stress for you.
Whatever kind of party you’re hosting, then, consider hiring a professional DJ for reliability, quality, variety and peace of mind.