It’s been a while since I’ve written a Monday Motivation piece - not because I have been unmotivated myself, but because anytime I write one I want it to be as truly organic as possible. I don’t want to sit thinking, “What should I do this week?” and write whatever comes to mind. I want it to be a reflection of things actually happening.
The other day, a friend an I were swapping stories on how we both used to be ex-fatties - losing weight, losing chins and bingo wins, you know the story - and we began talking about how even though we are both in much better positions, physically and mentally, we can’t help but criticise ourselves so strongly, in relation to who we used to be. It’s amazing how much this has a knock on effect to the rest of you life; the low self-esteem you had as a youngster infects your adults life, work and relationships. The devil on your shoulder saying, “You’re not worth it, you’re not good enough”, and we let it alter our decision making and how we approach the world around us.
It was when my friend said that, even though he now has a rocking body, is super smart and kind etc., that he still didn’t rate himself highly, and that he lets what others think of him rub off on him that I blurted the out the below:
I knew exactly how he felt, I was, and sometimes still am like that. MY body is a work in progress, hell, I AM A WORK IN PROGRESS, but I refuse to get suckered into self-pitying. It got to a point where I had to just say to myself, “You know what, you’re fine, you’re OK. You’re working hard and you’re trying, give yourself a break.” It takes a long time, and repeating that to myself a lot, to make myself actually believe it.
In work and relationships, know what you bring to the table - believe in it and own it and NEVER compromise on it. If those around you are forcing you to be a lesser version than the true you, then those people are not interested in your own well being, they are interested in theirs. So either bring them up on it, or move on without them.
Don’t ever sacrifice yourself, you deserve happiness. As the wise Aileen Clark says; You is kind, you is smart, and you is important.
All together now:
Have a great week, everyone.
Neil
Welcome!