Happy Thursday! This week has flown by, and before we get into today’s post, here’s a recap of what I’ve been up to and what’s to come:

• Started my new job and I am absolutely LOVING IT! Thriving is an understatement…
• My dreams came true when I saw Taylor Swift last Friday. If you have tickets to go see her, bring lots of tissues, lozenges and brace yourself! I cried pretty much throughout the whole show and my voice still has not returned almost a week later.
• Today I’m off to see the Foo Fighters in Villa Park – I have been wanting to see them for YEARS and now my whole family and I are going tonight. Super excited.
• Next week I’m also seeing JLS, to relive my childhood. Since becoming an adult, and since they’ve been touring again, I’ve been to every tour (this one will be the third one, six in total!) I’m not ashamed of this fan-girl moment, ok?!
• And thennnnn the week after is my 21st birthday. So much has happened since my last birthday and so I can’t wait to celebrate with the new people in my life <3

Let me know in the comments how your summer is going so far!

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Today I wanted to discuss something which we all struggle with, and it comes under the umbrella term of self-worth.

How many times a week do you talk down to yourself? Actually, how many times a day? Your initial answer may be small, but think again – all this little words you say to yourself under your breath or in the mirror. It’s a lot, isn’t it?

Since starting my self-discovery journey two years ago, these self-sabotaging thoughts are something which I have tried super hard to quieten. Just like ED thoughts (if you know, you know) you can never truly abolish that voice of ‘you’re not good enough’ in your head. What you can do is challenge these thoughts, and find a way to live unapologetically and authentically you – for yourself, not for anyone else.

A lot of our self-worth is tied to those expectations from society, parents, peers and ultimately ourselves which we have picked up throughout the years. We compare ourselves to virtually anyone we see in person and online, be it in terms of career, looks, personality, gym goals, friends, holidays. We all compare, subconsciously or not. As you can see, comparison comes into play with pretty much anything when we talk about self-discovery and who we are deep inside.

When we let go of these expectations, you may find those voices in your mind a little quieter. The ‘you’re not good enough’ or ‘why haven’t you reached that goal yet?’ thoughts may slowly dissipate – but never entirely.

Because of this notion that you can never be 100% free from self-sabotage and expectations, challenging these thoughts is the thing to be practicing on a regular basis. Whenever an unkind, negative thought arises in your head, or poised at your lips, let it out. Then, challenge it back. If you hear ‘you’re not good enough’, tell yourself how far you have come and that you are exactly where you need to be. The same for those niggles that you haven’t succeed X or Y at your job place, or if you haven’t even got a job right now. Use positive affirmations to help guide your thought process.

I understand that when we go into a state of panic, when we start spiraling, this practice can feel impossible. That’s ok too. You are allowed to spiral! We all do it from time to time. Just know that when your heart beat has calmed and your breath is slower and deeper, you remain unharmed. It is just your mind playing tricks on you. Challenge all those thoughts that just rushed into your head, and logically (slowly) unravel them. It may take some time, but you have all the time in the world to constantly better and work on yourself.

If you take anything from this blog post know that I too still struggle with this idea that actually I am good enough, I am where I need/supposed to be, I am going to go far in life, and so on. I think imposter syndrome plays a role here too – as I am 20 years old with a pretty decent job, without a degree. When this comes in, let it talk to you; let that ‘imposter’ explain why they feel that way. Then tell them that you are good enough (you wouldn’t have gotten that job without being good in the first place!).

So for now, work on being a bit kinder to yourself and challenging that negative energy. Let’s all help each other lean towards the light of the other side of this self-discovery journey – and we are always learning more about ourselves!