This photo was me just over 4 years ago.
I was on a pre-Christmas break in the Highlands with my brother, sister & some friends.
It was a memorable and beautiful trip; I loved it. Waking up with a view of the sea & sunrise was deeply nourishing for me.
But I also feel pretty heartbroken for the woman I see in the photo; knowing the negative, hurtful, self critical stories that were frequent visitors in her mind.
She had a way of speaking to herself that had become the norm & familiar; she didn't know herself without that voice
She was newly out of a short lived relationship, not yet healed from a long term relationship. Unhappy in work; indecisive and unsure of the next step to take. Sometimes pretty darn sad. She felt like a let down, a failure, a disappointment; burdened. Tired, so tired. Comparing herself to others she felt off course and 'behind'. Un-confident, afraid, lost & disconnected from herself & what brought her joy.
It's not that life was all doom & gloom, not at all! She had moments of great joy, ease and times of deep connection with herself. But she couldn't tell you how she grasped it, where it came from or how to make it sustainable. The negative voices would inevitably creep back in, sabotaging a perfectly wonderful moment. What was it all about?! It was so confusing.
Now, 4 years on, I want to reach in and give a big hug & tell her;
-You will feel energised, alive and excited by life and the work that you do.
-You'll learn how to trust yourself & feel safe, supported and nourished : from within.
-You'll be adventurous, you'll be brave, courageous and step out of your comfort zone; it'll feel exhilarating!
-You'll learn how to live with your inner critic; to comfort and soothe her.
-You'll find your community; people you feel safe to open up to, connect & grow with.
-You'll feel confident and comfortable in your own skin.
-You'll feel the most YOU you've ever felt in your life.
-You will be loved again.
-You will love again.
