“If today were Chapter One of your dream life story, how would it begin?”
Imagine you had the chance to start all over again.
To recreate your own idea of perfect everyday reality. To transform the immediate world around you – even your own image perhaps?
How would it feel to wake up tomorrow as someone with, say, the perfect marriage? No wrinkles nor overdraft? More natural confidence and less anxiety? A more fulfilling career and better social life?
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”
Would you really wave that magic wand?
Well, I know it’s a rather absurd concept (“Where are you going with this one?”), but hear me out.
According to the ‘UK Optimism Audit’, recently discussed in the Telegraph newspaper, we’re a pretty miserable lot. Apparently only 3 in 10 people claim to be happy with their lives.
A staggering 69% of Brits feel trapped in the same old routine and over 40% confess to being – really – very unhappy with our lives.
To add insult to injury, the survey goes on to say that a mere 7% of us are totally happy with our image, and a whopping 40% very unhappy with the way we look.
Money worries, mounting debt, the ageing process, dead-end relationships, unfulfilling jobs and work stress are all weighing increasingly heavily on us, making carefree living a seemingly elusive pipedream in the 21st century.
New Beginnings
But is it really all doom and gloom in the UK and beyond? And how much of this are we piling onto our own, world weary, shoulders?
What can we change about our everyday journey to generate less anxiety and more general enjoyment?
The answer? Such a lot!
“Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.” Dr Seuss
As a small example of this, let me tell you that in the run up to re-launching my online business, I’ve driven myself to madness at times considering which direction to take with my new branding. Fortunately I turned to a professional and the process became an enjoyable one. All it took was a different perspective!
But whether it’s re-branding and re-packaging your offering to the world, launching a new business or walking into your first day on a new job – it can be pretty daunting stuff to expose your soft underbelly to the world.
Why? Because we’re all guilty of agonising over things far too much! Thinking we need to create something, or be someone, who will appeal to all.
Let’s compare it to shaving your head and then needing to walk confidently out into the street. It’s still you after all – but you with a completely new image. How will it be perceived? Will people like the new you? Should you care?
The Good, The Bad and The Downright Ugly
Every time you present your raw, authentic self to the world, you face feedback; spoken or unspoken. Every honest action, word – image preference even – can feel as if it’s being scrutinised by your own, unique, audience.
Feedback can range from the well intentioned to the sometimes not so well intentioned. From harsh and discouraging – to complimentary and uplifting (and every possible variation inbetween).
Is it any wonder then, that it can be really tough to distinguish what we actually own and love about ourselves, and what’s expected and demanded by others?
So, this week as I re-launch myself and my business – new polished look and all – back out into the online world, I’m stopping to remind myself – and all of us – to take note of the following universal truths about our own very unique identities and way of doing things. Why we should be proud of them, and not try to change them to suit others;
7 Home Truths About Your World Today
- You created the reality you are living in at this moment in time. Give thanks for the amazing things about it, and never stop working to better the areas that need attention or change.
- Other people’s opinions should not influence everything you do! Step up and own your world. Be an action taker and All Star – not an audience member!
- Looks and possessions are mere adornments to the real business of a happy, fulfilled life. Get out there and enjoy it! Say what you need to say and do what you need to do.
- Your dreams are yours alone. If you want to make them happen, you must take action and stop procrastinating. Words of intention are one thing, but the magic starts when you alone take that first small step towards your goal, and then the next, and the next…
- Complaints are like acid rain on society. Nothing changes when we complain! Be an encourager who seeks to motivate others around them. Get up, stand up and get going! What is it that you want? Can you define it?
- Accept that some things in life simply cannot be changed. These are the things we must learn to live with and somehow embrace, or work around to the best of our ability. Say you have a partner who is terrible at time management, for example? Then make sure to work in an allowance for this when making plans together. Seek compromise when it’s important.
- Feeling confident and happy in your own skin is all about what’s going on deep inside. Tune into a much kinder, less admonishing way of talking to yourself. That’s a really great starting point for making everything feel better.
So, I ask you again. Would you really change your world?
You may not have access to a magic wand, but you most definitely have the power to change your own attitude! For starters; how about viewing your world with slightly different eyes today? How many positive personal attributes and achievements can you be grateful for right now?
The challenge in life is really not to worry so much about what others think of us, but how we can feel better about ourselves, and then project that ‘best self’ outwards.
It’s a hugely empowering feeling to be proud of your own unique brand – ‘You’.
Originally published at www.sarah-virag.com