Daily Inspo: Self Care

In chapter 3 of "You Are Your Choices," Alexandra talks about the power in using the word NO when we need to.

This chapter is full of ideas that can feel a little too much like toxic positivity to me, but the overall idea that we need to own our own choices and be willing to say NO when we need to is helpful.

She says that "we have to get over the embarrassment of being honest with others, afraid we'll hurt their feelings. No one else will ever know our circumstances or why we make the choices we do."

"No one else will ever know our circumstances or why we make the choices we do."

As a recovering people-pleaser, this has been so important for me to remember. We really are the only ones that can see the whole picture of our lives. People really don't have a clue what's going on beneath the surface.

We are the ones who have to put together the pieces of the puzzle to create a life of purpose, meaning, and healing in ways that honor our own needs and experiences.

And sometimes, that's going to mean saying NO when someone wants us to say YES.

It's just the way it is and I'm trying to exercise my mind to accept this reality. Getting over the embarrassment or sadness of disappointing people has become a daily brain rewiring practice for me. Not easy, but definitely worth it!

Here's to owning our own lives!

With love,

from Julia

-------------------------------

A note about inspirational quotes: I've noticed that inspirational quotes don't always apply to me when I'm in survival mode or other states of being, like in times of rest or when things are out of my control. This is why I always check in with myself before taking in the messages. If a quote doesn't feel applicable to me in the moment, I simply ignore it and remind myself that not everything applies to me all the time.

A note about my social values: I recognize that not every person has access to the resources needed to be able to cultivate a life of peace, beauty, and joy, which is why I will always support systems and people who are doing the work to move toward a world that supports the basic needs and rights of all people. I believe that "the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members." - Gandhi