I wrote a post last year about being kinder to my body which you might want to read before this one, but in today’s post I really wanted to chat about particularly listening to my body.

I am a big believer in our bodies sending us signals of what we are needing. Over the past years I’ve always, always fought against it. Even when I felt poorly, I would still go and workout just because I didn’t want to put on weight. I would under-eat. I would over-eat to get some kind of comfort.

This was so so silly of me, and I could of really been harming my body. I’m glad I can look back on this and finally be out of that negative cycle, but as with everything I have my ups and downs and emotions come and go.

It is still very hard for me to listen to my body at times, and I do sometimes feel guilty when I slow down, even though I know its needed for my physical and mental health, but I’m sure I’m not alone here. I know my yoga practice won’t disappear if I don’t do it for a couple of days. I know my body needs sugar sometimes. I just need to keep working on it, at the end of the day I’m doing it for myself, no-one can do it for me. It’s all a process.

Sometimes we just need to give our bodies a break.

It feels kind of strange to be writing this because I usually talk about things when I am ‘out’ of that situation, and when I can offer my advice after my experience. But for this post I just wanted to acknowledge something I’m working on, incase you wanted to join me and we can do it together.

Things I’m trying to help me with this:

• Noticing how I wake up on a morning and assess how my body feels. Tired? Sluggish? Energetic?
• Being more mindful in my everyday life
• Taking a slower yoga practice
• Noticing when I’m full, or if I’m hungry or just emotional
• Distracting myself when I’m craving a lot of chocolate- but also, letting myself have some too
• Accepting we all need rest days
• Being kinder to myself and using positive affirmations, I’m more than just a body

Do you struggle listening to your body? Do you have any tips for me?

It’s only been in the last couple of months that I’ve really enjoyed listening to podcasts, I never thought they were for me and would rather read a book or watch some Youtube. However, they are the best essentials for when you’re travelling. And if you get easily bored of the 5 same songs that are constantly on the radio, give these podcasts a go..

YOGA GIRL

I’m a massive fan of everything Rachel does, and a regular viewer of her Instagram stories and the grid. My sister bought me her book for Christmas when it came out a few years ago, and I loved every bit of it (so much so, I’m actually reading it again this month- just because). When I found out she did a podcast I was really intrigued, and although some of her episodes are motherhood based (she’s a new mama), I still listen to every one and find them so interesting and engaging (it’s definitely at least five-ten years until I pop any out!). I just love how honest and real she is, and that’s one of the reasons why she is such an inspiration to me. I LOVE PEOPLE WHO SHARE THE REALNESS OF DAILY LIFE!

ESTEE LALONDE

I feel like I had to mention The Heart Of It podcast because the last episode I listened to when writing this had me feeling all the feels. It was the episode where Estee interviewed her mum, Kelly, and they had such an open and frank conversation about mental health, growing up, and the struggles that they have faced together. I immediately texted my sister telling her she needed to listen to it too. I’m not a fairly emotional person when it comes to films, books, podcasts etc. but I definitely had a few years in my eyes after that one. Every podcast episode is about something totally different but all kind of similar in terms of being a women in her twenties, definitely worth a listen to.

WHAT SHE SAID

If you’re a blogger, I would highly recommend giving Lucy’s What She Said a listen to. Every episode is with a different creator and all share their stories about why they started a blog, what changes they’ve made, and their best tips and tricks in the blogging world. It’s like listening in on a really lovely engaging conversation between two people who really have a passion for writing, and after every episode I feel like I have more knowledge in the Blogopshere than I did before. It also makes me want to jump on the laptop and get creating which is never a bad thing is it?

What are some of your favourite podcasts? Have you listened to any of these?

Excuse the Bieb reference, I couldn’t resist.

Self-love is a hot topic on the internet these days, and for good reason. To be honest, we shouldn’t *actually* need reminders to love ourselves, but alas that is the generation we are in. Anyone who reminds me to stop strolling and treat myself to a hot bath and a good book is a great person in my eyes.

Even though I preach about self-love all the time, on my bad days I can find it hard to show myself kindness too, which I think is normal.

Loving yourself on a great day where you’ve been a kick-ass girl boss is easy. House is clean, blog posts are published, heck, you even managed a ‘proper’ conversation with more than one friend or family member. But can you show that same love for yourself on the days when you struggle getting out of bed? On the days when you’re in a shitty mood and end up snapping to a loved one who only means well? Those are the times that we need more self-love than ever before.

If your struggling where to even start (and I know because I’ve been there), I would say look at the things that you really like about yourself. I always try to choose things that I love about my personality, rather my facial features, for example I love that I’m quite ‘quirky’ which is a good thing, and that I enjoy things other people don’t. I love that I’m very sensitive and feel all the emotions, even though sometimes it can be overwhelming, I know that I love on such a deep level that can feel so incredible and is what I think, makes the world go round. I love that I’m unique and there will never be anyone exactly like me again.

It isn’t conceited to admit that you love yourself. It doesn’t mean you think you’re better than others, or ‘big-headed’.

It’s inspiring. It should be natural.

Lets start a trend of self-love.

Is this something you are working on?

Being mindful at Christmas can seem a bit of a tough concept to imagine, but really, it only makes this wonderful time of year even better. Here are my tips on how I’m planning on being more mindful this year..

Leaving the phone to one side

This isn’t another post to tell you to put the damn phone away, but where you can, maybe leave it in another room for a few hours and spend some quality time with your loved ones. This season only rolls around once a year (great job, Nat) and especially if you love Christmas like I do, I want to make the most of it and not be attached to my phone. I want to experience the magical moments that the festive season brings, and of course snapping a quick picture here and there. And don’t worry about missing out, the majority of your online pals will be most likely having a little break over Christmas too.

Taking time for your comforts

Christmas can be a stressful time for some of us, reunited with family members with all different personalities or trying to fit everyone in when the schedule’s busy, sometimes it takes work to make everything run smoothly. When you get stressed, it’s very easy to let your ‘me-time’ slip. Make sure you schedule in some time for just yourself, and enjoy the things that bring you happiness and comfort. Whether that’s reading a book over a cup of tea, or listening to a new podcast episode, it’s important for you and your mental health.

Only one day at a time

With all the excitement of Christmas, it’s easy to get ahead of ourselves and think about what we are doing next, constantly. We can have the most exciting plans to really relish the festive season this year, but if we’re not being mindful and living in the moment, it can be such a waste of a beautiful time. Remember to focus on only one day at a time and look for the magical moments everyday, the present is all we ever have, so be appreciative of it and wonder in all it’s glory.

Do you struggle being mindful this time of year?

If you think about why you started to blog or share on social media, it most likely wasn’t to hit a number or ‘goal’ threshold. For me it was writing about things that inspire me, and it just so happened that there are people who are on my wavelength too, which is so awesome and make the journey *even* better.

Yet these days, we often forget about why we started and we set focus on the end destination, hitting that 1k on Instagram or reaching 2,000 Twitter followers. And as soon as that happens, you instantly move onto the next goal, and so forth and so forth…

TRUTH: No number will make you happy.

The whole mindset is one I unfortunately have experienced many times, but not anymore! Its so easy to get caught up in the game of comparison and growing numbers that it instantly kills my passion that I have for my blog and social media.

There will always be someone with more or less followers than you, that is life and thankfully, the real world doesn’t really care about how many numbers you have. Being a genuine, real person will always be better, in my opinion, whether you have 10 followers or 10,000.

I won’t suddenly reach a ‘perfect’ number and be done, the goal posts will always move, and I won’t ever feel satisfied or happy at where I am at now. And that would really suck.

So now, I’m focusing on what I love sharing, engaging with others and feeling so grateful for the ones who comment and like what I do too.

Share what inspires you.

Post what you want to post.

And for the love of life, don’t constantly check and compare the numbers.

Don’t do this for the numbers. You are worth so, so much more than that.