Hi and welcome to the first issue of The Journal. Starting into the new year, I had a feeling inside me that this year was going to be special in many ways and although we are only two months into the year, my feeling has been reinforced. The last few weeks have been wild, transformative and full of change. That’s why I’m particularly excited to share my learnings, intentions and highlights of this month with you, in hope, they provide valuable insights, new perspectives and inspiration.
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When you are taking care of yourself, in a way, you are simultaneously also taking care of the people around you. Prioritizing your health and listening to the subtle cues of your body, not reactively when it’s late, but proactively, is not selfish – it is necessary. Only when you are healthy and feeling good, you will embody that, be able to look out for others and positively impact their life. Your environment contributes significantly to the person you are and the life you live. Every day you are influenced by the thoughts, behaviours, choices, energy and lifestyle of the people around you and the same goes for others. The relationship you have with yourself, determines all other relationships that evolve in your life. All you experience on the outside is a mirror of your within.
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Patience is a virtue for growth. Sustainable growth is not linear and rather a constant exchange of ups and downs, mistakes, challenges, lessons and accomplishments. It can be hard to continue to put in the work without seeing results immediately, but when you cultivate patience, you equip yourself with the ability to navigate these changes and transitions with resilience and grace. Patience acts as a stabilizing force, reminding us that difficult times are temporary and that growth often comes in its own time. There is no timeline for growth and instead of comparing or putting a lot of pressure on yourself, it’s much more about trusting that you will get to where you want to be exactly when you are supposed to.
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You are free to let your breakdown moments become your breakthrough moments. It’s these hard moments, where you believe you cannot keep going, that build strength, resilience and wisdom. From your downfalls you will rise, if you have the courage to stand back up. It is through navigating our lowest points that we unearth untapped reserves of inner strength and fortitude, emerging from them stronger and more resilient than ever before.
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learn to be gentle and allow myself to rest, even when there is still work to do. I will let go of the need to be working all the time and detach my worth from productivity, performance and accomplishment. Through taking breaks, doing more of what feels good to me and enjoying the small moments of connection, I will establish more balance in my life. I will live in the moment a little more.
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act from a place of love. I will be kind, compassionate and loving in the way I think, speak and behave. I will repeatedly make space for reflection to ensure that my actions are aligned with the values in my heart.
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Something I am particularly grateful for this month (besides finishing my uni exams – yay) are the memories of Bali. Meanwhile it’s already a while back, however I experienced a lot of moments through the last few weeks, where I was reminded of the time there. Of the people, the yoga sessions, breathework, conversations, hugs, the ocean, sunshine, palm trees, sunsets and all the feelings I cannot put into words. I feel so blessed that I was able to experience all of this and know these memories will be a source of strength and love, whenever I need it.