Choose you
Photography by Danielle Ann Rose @bydanielleannrose
If you’re familiar with my writing or older Instagram content you’ll know this is a topic I am very passionate about. I used to create a lot of my content based on this idea of choosing yourself and how the realisation of why this is so important changed my life in so many incredible ways. It grew my confidence immensely and shifted the way I viewed the world, it gave me a completely new lease on life and for that, I will be eternally grateful
Though it is still something I know to be very true, somewhere along the way I allowed life’s intensities to weigh me down and I forgot myself. I stopped prioritising myself and started neglecting all that I knew to be true and important. This was not a conscious decision but I could feel it happening and I guess in the back of my mind I was telling myself it wasn’t that bad or that it would be easy to switch my mindset back when I had the energy to
What I'm realising now is that I’ve just been ignoring my reality and avoiding taking any action at all because I knew deep down that it would take commitment and intention, which is intimidating when you feel like everything is piling up and you have no idea where to even begin
It’s a devastating realisation to know you have lost yourself. Only fueled by the fact that you know exactly how you could have avoided it or how to fix it, in theory. Putting that knowledge into action takes a whole other level of courage and self-awareness that I unfortunately didn’t choose in any of the moments I could have
I reflect on the passionate and motivated person I was when I launched this blog and I am so proud of that version of me, I love what she has created for us and how tall she stood in this world. I feel sad to know that somewhere along the way she slowly but surely lost her light, neglecting the core of her wellbeing. I now grieve the loss of who she was and have a decision to make
I either continue down this path I’m on, seemingly the easier option because it requires zero accountability or effort. Despite the risk of causing further damage to my mental and physical health moving forward
Or I stand in my power, once again. Committing the energy and effort required to become the person I deserve to be. It might be difficult, but to be honest, the way I feel internally right now is getting pretty fucking difficult too
In this moment, the idea of staying where I am, remaining stagnant feels far more daunting than any discomfort that comes with growth ever could
Life has a way of pushing us off course in the name of “teaching” us a few things, which can feel pointless and painful when it’s happening, but it’s those moments of deviation that help us truly understand the value of returning to the core of our existence, the person we have the potential to become, who we are meant to be
Choosing yourself is a profound shift in mindset that ripples through every aspect of your life. This can look different for each person, in each new situation. It could mean cutting off toxic friendships, quitting a job that doesn’t value you, or committing to a routine. Right now, for me, it’s about prioritising my well-being, forming habits that strengthen my mindset and mental health, committing to regular exercise and whole foods, and speaking to myself in a much kinder way. It’s time to stop playing small and wounded by the world and start standing in my power, speaking with intention and taking the action required to create a life worth fucking living
If this resonates with you, then I encourage you to step forward with me. Make yourself a priority and witness the meaningful impact it can have on your life
Choosing yourself and putting yourself first isn’t about being selfish or rude to others and it has nothing to do with neglecting responsibilities or disregarding the emotions and needs of those you love. Instead, it’s an acknowledgment that you are important too and making your own needs a priority. It’s an act of self-love, a declaration that your needs and aspirations matter. It's time to let go of the fear and embrace the potential for positive change. You are more than worthy and so, so deserving
By filling your cup first, you have more to offer to those around you, by giving to yourself, you are nourishing your connections, not neglecting them. Please release any guilt that may be stopping you from choosing yourself and consider how inspiring this choice could be for those looking up to you. It's like a ripple effect, by choosing yourself, you will become a source of positive energy and inspiration for those around you
In rediscovering the importance of choosing myself, I've come to understand that it's a continuous journey, not a one-time decision. The process involves daily commitments and small choices that collectively shape the person I am becoming. Though I have already learnt this lesson once before and changed my life in a beautiful way, it is time for me to reeducate myself and strengthen the muscle of choosing myself, once again
What a gift it is, to experience such a life-altering revelation. I cannot wait to see who I become in the process
