5 Signs You DON’T Like Yourself

January 25, 2017 Shy Leave a comment

Self love is key to having a high self esteem. However, to love yourself, you’ve got to first like yourself.

However many self affirmations we state, and self love books we may read, you can still be doing things subconsciously that sends the message that you do not like yourself. Old habits are hard to break, and until we feel worthy enough to break them, those old habits continue to repeat continuously.

Here are some clear indications that you don’t actually like yourself!

Always loving, what don’t love you back:

This is probably one of my favorites, because I am a pro at it. If you’re anything like me, you may suffer from ‘the fix it’ syndrome. That’s when you just want to fix everything and everyone. You believe with all your heart that you can love a person enough for both of you. Only to find yourself, feeling drained and unloved in return. Those of us that are hindered by this ailment, often see ourselves as victims to big, cold hearted bullies. But, the truth of the matter is, that person probably made it clear by either, words or action that they had little to none interest in loving you back.

Solution: Neglect the need to fix everyone, and fix yourself. There is something broken in you, that makes you feel inadequate to love. Remember, it is not enough to love. Love and BE LOVED.
2. You know better, but you do the opposite:

We’ve all seen the Kermit memes on the internet. Good Kermit gives a logical solution to a problem, while in return a hooded, Kermit alter ego, provides the irrational, bad choice. While, these memes are hilarious, for some of us, this is a harsh and sad reality. Self sabotage is a clear and present sign that you just don’t care too much about you. Often driven by fear of accomplishment, and happiness, self sabotagors , find it hard to accept that for once something is going right. Before, things have a chance to turn for the worst, they often force the plunge.

Solution: You can not expect a different solution, by doing the same thing. Accepting the fact that you’re future can be good, and much different than your past, is the first step. Learn to embrace change. If things are going really good- let them. Life is filled with peaks and valleys. If you’re high, allow it to happen, because you’ll soon be in a valley again, no need to create that hell for yourself.

3. You put your health on the back burner daily:

You know you should be exercising daily. You feel the guilt, each time you indulge or see someone living the fitness life your heart desires. For some reason, you just can’t allow yourself to start. Instead you wallow in your self disappointment daily, which only adds insult to injury, and keeps you a prisoner to bad health habits.

Solution: Take charge. You are your own worst enemy, and in this same thought, you can be your number one cheerleader. It’s all mental. Your health is directly tied to your happiness.

4. You spend too much time on social media comparing yourself to others:

A sure sign of self hate, or self loathing, is always comparing yourself to someone else. Social media, creates the perfect environment for that type of behavior to thrive. You scroll down your timeline, and see a college friend that just got married, and question why you haven’t found Mr. Right. You see a former co-worker, killing a two piece on the beach, and beat yourself up for still having a FUPA, 13 years after giving birth. Instantly, your mood sways, and you question your self worth.

Solution: Do not be so disillusioned by feeble things. You are an original. God created you as a single being, so you might bring into this world your own special thing. Constantly, thinking about how you don’t measure up to others, whether on your friends list, or in real life, is a self esteem dagger. Instead, embrace whatever it is you have to offer. And if you see something, or someone and feel a way, that’s a sign that you’re not happy in that area of your life- so fix it!

5. You never take time for yourself:

Call it mommy guilt. Call it woman guilt. Call it, whatever you’d like. Either way there comes a time in all our lives where we feel bad for wanting to care for ourselves a bit more. Neglecting our self, impacts us, and those we love. That’s because the self neglect will show up as anger, irritability, or impatience. What’s worst is your idea of taking time for yourself, means sleeping. No! Take time to be alert, conscious and alone. Reflect on your self care, reflect on your role in the people you love lives. Are you meeting, or exceeding the expectation (or under performing).

Solution: Carve the self care time out in your schedule, and protect it with all you have.

Girl

10 Times Michelle Obama Made Us Proud

January 13, 2017 Shy Leave a comment

Recently in her final speech as First Lady, the ever so gracious Michelle Obama, stated : “Serving as the First Lady has been the greatest honor of my life and I hope that I made you proud.”

Boy has she!

In these last eight short years FLOTUS, has made us all beam with pride, and inspired so many of us to take a leap and go for ours, just as she and her wonderful husband and 44th President of the United States has gone for theirs.

From her charming but real personality, to her off the cuff, witty sense of humor, there hasn’t been a moment that we all have not been proud to call Mrs. Obama, First Lady of this great nation.

Here are 10 times she made us PROUD:

She Bared Arms:

When it was time to take her first official picture as FLOTUS, Mrs. Obama decided to go sleeveless, showing off her toned triceps, and biceps. Much to the disapproval of the naysayers, who for the most part thought it was wrong that the First Lady wore sleeveless in rigid cold Washington D. C winter. Imagine! Well, that was Michelle’s way of letting us all know, she came to slay, and do things her way! And, I gotta tell ya, that confidence made us all so very proud.

2. TWO Ivy League Degrees:

An achievement held by no other First lady in history, Mrs. Obama is a double Ivy League degree holder. First graduating from Princeton University, and later Harvard Law School. FLOTUS is a champion of education, reminding us that:

I never cut class. I loved getting A’s, I liked being smart. I liked being on time. I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world.

3. Launch of Lets Move:

The job of First Lady can be rather ambiguous. It really is what you make it. Michelle Obama has made it clear that she wanted her role as First Lady to promote good health, and wellness, in particularly with children. The launch of her successful initiative, Lets Move, set out to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. We don’t have to look very far to see the impact of the First Lady’s Let Move! program; just take a look at our children lunch menus, and we’ll see more veggies offered, or at our food labels that are now simplified and clear to understand, or just look at the fast food menu and how caloric intake are displayed and menu items geared toward children are more wholesome! Way to go Mich!

4. She summonsed the Queen (Bey that is ):

How many people can say when they call, Beyonce she comes running, literally! First Lady Michelle Obama can! When FLOTUS launched her Lets Move! program, she tapped the Queen Bey to create a song and video to compliment the campaign:

5. Reach Higher Initiative:

There is no doubt that Mrs. Obama has a special place in her heart for the education of young people. With this initiative hopes to inspire young people to pursue education past high school, be it a trade school, community college or a four year college. Making it clear that higher education is high priority, is another reason FLOTUS makes us so proud.

6. Spot on fashion sense:

One thing that will always be synonymous with Michelle Obama, even in years to come, will be her spot on fashion sense. There was no fashion mishaps in her entire 8 year run as First Lady. She hit the mark, be it in J. Crew cardigans or Jason Woo gowns. She made us proud as a fashion icon.

7. Her #GloUp! :

Now, let’s make one thing clear, Michelle been fly. However, it is impossible to deny her #GloUp since settling into her role as First Lady. We saw her transforms from Chicago Lawyer/Mom, to our nations most important woman, with ease, and grace. With an upgraded to razor sharp bobs, and constant radiant glow to compliment, there is no question Michelle has gotten better with time. And the best is yet to come.

8. Love and Happiness in the White House:

Love and happiness. That is what the First Lady displayed often to her husband, President Barack Obama. Seeing their love and public display of affection towards each other has been endearing. Be it a slow dance or a peck on the lips, Michelle made it clear she LOVED her some Barack! and we loved us some Michelle for always standing by her man.

9. Launch of Let Girls Learn:

In 2015 FLOTUS and POTUS joined forces to launch Let Girls Learn, a US government wide program to assist girls around the world go to and stay in school. Once again, how can we not be proud of a First Lady that takes so much pride in education and young woman!

10. She always went HIGH!

Probably, one of our most proudest moments, during the Clinton Campaign, Michelle gave her endorsement to fellow democrat, and Presidential nominee, by delivering a historic speech, reminding all of us that “when they go low; we go high”. We can now say that said phrase can pretty much sum up our experience with this honorable woman. She always remained above the fray.

As our President so keenly pointed out in his touching farewell speech, she did not ask for this role of First Lady, but boy has she made it her own. And because she has been so true to herself, so intentionally poised and just an all round class act, we are now and will always be so very proud to have called her First Lady.

Thank you Michelle. Thank you First Family.

Girl, Girl Talk

6 Signs You’re a Grown Woman

January 13, 2017 Shy Leave a comment

I’m a grown woman, I can do whatevah I want.

If you’re Beyoncé this works. However, a sign of truly being a grown woman, is knowing you actually can’t do whatever you like. Is a matter fact, a sign of true maturity is doing what you don’t necessary like, so you can do what you love!

Here are a few signs that you are a grown woman

1. You don’t ask permission to be happy:

You know you are the master of your happiness, key holder of your own peace. You protect your happy space with all you have, because you know you deserve it and more importantly, you’ve earned. You don’t seek your happiness from external people or places. You know all too well that will only leave you unhappy!

2. You apologize and mean it:

It takes a big (girl) person to say ‘I’m sorry’, and you’re just the girl, err woman for the job. If you did something to offend, you own it and apologize for it. You know all too well having negative energy lingering over your head will throw off your flow, so you don’t mind apologizing and getting it off your chest.

3. You forgive (like for real):

Forgiveness when wronged is not always easy. But a grown woman understands that in order to be forgiven, one must also be able to forgive. You forgive and while you may never forget, you certainly don’t harp over the matter. You forgive and file it away!

4. You can check yourself:

A grown woman won’t wait for you to check her boo; she gets herself together. She might make a flubbed, or two, but it doesn’t take much for her realize the error of her ways and fix it. No Iylana needed for her!

5. You honor people’s time:

You know that your time is valuable, therefore you do unto others as you would like done to you, and respect people’s time. Simple as that.

6. You speak life into people, not negativity:

A grown woman knows there is power of life and death in the tongue, and chooses to use her words to speak life and possibility into people.