Find Your Smile: INVEST IN YOURSELF

#SoManyReasonsToSmile2020

"Never underestimate the investment you make in yourself."

For several years now, I’ve intentionally been working towards

creating a better version of myself.

One particular action that’s successfully pushed me to improve myself is that of setting goals; e.g. attending Zumba/PTS/FIS/CrossFit Level 1 courses, completing additional qualifications courses for teaching, running marathons, competing in fitness competitions,

travelling to the 7 Wonders of the World…

Setting goals, working towards them and reaching them

has kept me motivated, has given me a sense of fulfillment, has led me to new opportunities

and overall has enriched my life, in more ways than one.

Sadly, with so many challenges over the last year or so,

some of the goals I had in mind coming into 2020 have not been attainable.

That being said, I have shifted my energy towards new intentions

and I have found other ways to profitably invest in myself.

Principally, I have chosen to focus on enhancing my health and well-being;

mainly through my “relationship” with rest, food, exercise, stress

and above all my “relationship” with myself.

My social life has temporarily diminished unfortunately

(I’ve really had to get over feeling guilty as well as that fear that I’ll be missing out.),

however I have enjoyed more sleep and tranquility, increased energy and strength, a new found love and appreciation for movement, an uncommon interest in solitude, all in addition to some good progress in terms of understanding and respecting myself and my needs.

Morning and evening strolls listening to podcasts or music

I have realized that investing in yourself is most definitely important,

but it doesn’t have to be costly

and it doesn’t always need to involve setting “huge” goals.

It can simply be about taking regular conscious steps towards self-growth,

through commitment, patience and flexibility.

Relaxing at the beach or at the pool

“Be patient with yourself.

Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground.

There’s no greater investment.”

Comments

Living Outside The Box

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I believe I’m on the path I’m meant to be." As we get older, it’s easy to get trapped in society’s idea of what life "should" look like. By the time we hit 40, there’s a well-defined picture of success: owning a home, starting a family, climbing the career ladder. But as I approach this milestone, I’m choosing to remind myself that true happiness isn’t found in checking off someone else’s list. It’s found in stepping outside the box, embracing the unexpected, and allowing life to unfold in its own unique way. Sure, my path hasn’t always been conventional, and I’ve often found myself comparing my journey to others, wondering why I’m not where they are. But when I take a step back and reflect, I see how much I’ve gained by stepping off the well-worn road. Life may not have gone according to plan, but I’m proud of the unexpected milestones I’ve reached along the way. I’ve traveled to over 40 countries, lived in three (ye...

Locked in.

“ The successful warrior is the average (wo)man , with laser-like focus. ” Life’s been feeling a little dull lately, but there’s one thing keeping me fired up; the experience of a lifetime is just around the corner. In just four weeks, I’ll be heading to Chicago to compete in the Hyrox World Championships, and I’m locked in. For many competitive and athletic kids, the dream is to make it to the Olympics or stand on a world championship stage in their sport. While Hyrox may not be the Olympics, for me, this is kind of that moment. This is my ‘world stage’; I can’t wait to soak it all in and add it to the list of things I’m proud of. This idea sort of started on my 40th birthday this year. While most people celebrate with a party and cake or a getaway, I made a wild choice: I booked my place in the Hyrox World Championships with my doubles partner. Bold? Definitely. Crazy? Probably. Worth it? Without a doubt. The last time I pushed myself this hard was back in 2019 when I trained for a C...

In a World Full of Noise, Let’s Show Understanding

“Not everyone processes uncertainty the same way, and that’s okay.” The past few days have been unexpected. What started as a normal Saturday - coaching at the gym, breakfast with a friend, catching up on work with the TV on in the background - quickly changed when I heard a loud “boom” coming from outside my apartment. At first, many of us in the community assumed it came from one of the many nearby construction sites. But, within the next few hours, the loud sounds came again and again, and word spread that these were missiles and drones being intercepted in the sky. I’ve always felt safe here in the UAE, and believe it or not, to a certain extent, I still do. Like many other residents here, I have a lot of trust in the country I’ve chosen to call home for over 11 years. I’ve seen it overcome challenges in the past, such as COVID and floods, and I’ve witnessed how much the leadership cares for the residents, particularly over the last few days. That said, it’s no secret that I a...

One Rising Star

Search This Blog