HOW DO YOU ACCEPT A COMPLIMENT?

Am I the only one who finds it hard to personally accept compliments? And how do you possibly talk about them without sound like a, well a conceited wank?

But, since I have talked about negative feedback and reactions from others, I thought I should talk about how there are people, out there who can be super nice, who give compliments.

There is a girl a work who is lovely to everyone. Said my hair looked like a beautiful mermaid. She is positive about so much and towards so many people.

Then on Monday I took Jarvis to Wet & Wild on the coast. Yup got this 47 year old unfit white body out in a bikini. Sometimes the thought crosses my mind that maybe I should cover up more because of my age. But then I go and play with Jarvis and forget about body issues.

Long story, but was chatting to another Mum while our kids played together in the water. She asked if I had adopted Jarvis. When I said no, her response... "No way, your body does not look like it has ever been pregnant or given birth". When I told her Jarvis was my second, plus I was a grandmother, she then asked/stated "wow you must spend so much time at the gym to have such a great body".

Wasn't sure how to tell her I never exercise. Plus I got all uncomfortable with her compliments. My first response was to argue, "my body is not that good", "I am old", "I have lumps and bumps" and so on. Rather to say thank you. My instinct was to deny. 

Am I the only one who has not learnt/been taught how to accept a compliment?

What do you do?

Do you mumble like an idiot like I do? 

On a side note: The image has nothing to do with the post. I just like this shot of Justin and I done together, and I do not think I have ever shared how amazing they all are. Took my ages to pick just this one. And no we are not nude, this image just makes us look like we both were. Though I did make Justin take his shirt off. Yep, I do enjoy a good perv on my partner. 

JANUARY GOALS

This year, I decided my word for the year was believe. Well, since I am greedy and picked three... Believe in Myself. And since I am such a lover of lists, I opted to make a list of three things I want to achieve each month in regards to feeling self worth and growing my business.

Betinna recommended a Brendan Burchard podcast on starting your dream and his advice was - if it's really important to you, you can find time to do just three things a day towards it. I thought this tied in really well with my list of three goals per month.

January Goals

1. Narrow down what you want to start selling. Get a focus to your stock ideas.

2. Spend fifteen minutes per day improving my skills, and learning new techniques.

3. Take action.

Did I manage this for January? Did I manage to do three things each and every day? Yes on every day off, but struggled on days I work.

1. I have gained clarity in regards to this, now looking at fabric choices and suppliers.

2. This has been the easiest to do, I love learning new skills. Every day off, I have allowed at least half an hour in my sewing area. I need to find how to achieve me time as well.

3. I read this on Bloggers Bazaar: Imagine your life as if you’ve already achieved your goals. What will it look like? What will it feel like? Imagine feeling totally confident in yourself. Now, from that place of total confidence, ask yourself what kind of actions you would take if you were already successful? Choose one small action to take right away. Action brings clarity. I found one and two allowed me to achieve three. 

P.S How cute are my new clothing labels?! More on them later.

CONFIDENCE NEEDED FOR 2015

Confidence. Some have lots, Some have a little. Did two and half year old me have loads of confidence?

Most people, okay I, want more confidence in myself. I may talk allot and be loud. Change my hair colour often and wear what I want, instead of what is in fashion...

I would say I live my life about 70% how I want. However, there is one area in my life that needs improvement.

Any hints on how to increase your belief in yourself? I think it is something we all face, to some degree. The lack of self worth. But the question: how do you, well, me overcome the fear?

One of the things that holds me back from pursuing my dreams is fear of failure … and the lack of self-confidence that I needed to overcome that fear.

I read an article stating there is a strong distinction between self-esteem and self-confidence. The difference being whether you believe you are worthy of respect from others (self-esteem) and whether you believe in yourself (self-confidence).

However, I believe there are one and the same thing. 

Bettina from Little Old Souls recommend this podcast for me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDqj1URcDQ4


So peps, give me your hints on how to improve confidence.

BEAUTY FROM WITHIN

How do you feel about your body? Are there people who say they are happy with all aspects? On the week-end I was sitting between my Aunt who is over weight, even after two tummy staples, and my Mum who has been anorexic her entire life. Two ens of the spectrum, but neither are happy.

Note: this is not my image. I am trying to find out who's it is so I can give due credit. 

I can honestly say I do not want to change my weight, but this does not in any way imply I am happy with my body. I dislike the normal lumps and bumps a woman of my age has. But at 46, and never having exercised in my life, and after two children what can I expect? That I could put on a bikini and rival how Elle looks at 50? A woman can dream.

They say beauty comes from within, but what happens when you believe your 'within' is ugly and damage? Sadly most of my issues with my body are issues with my internal working, and nothing, no exercise and no botox is ever going to fix that.

Lila asked on Facebook the other day what colours were in people's wardrobes. The bulk of mine is black, a combination of two reason. One being working in retail that has been my work uniform for years. Plus, when ever I am feeling insecure, that is my fall back colour.

This got me thinking, is it confidence that allows people to wear colour? Or do they wear it as a disguise?

I want to know what colour makes you confident? Can you clash colours? I know this post is a lot of questions, but I guess after three weeks I am still questioning myself and my faulty body.