Motivational Monday || S3P1 || Confidence

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Many moons ago I had a feature on this blog called, 'Motivational Monday'. Do you remember it? I would find nice quotes or typography, feature them and write a little about how they had effected me, my thoughts on them or how we could incorporate them into our week.

I ran two series of that feature for a great many weeks and then when my life chaos took over, I stopped the feature. Well, life has settled and guess what? It's back! Series three. Hello friend. So, without further ado, here is series three, post one (S3P1 in the title there) and today we're focusing on confidence.

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I was at the health club (my fancy name for 'gym') with a friend last week and she said, 'Do you ever have moments where you don't feel fat and you forget about it and you just feel nice?'. I thought about it for a second and I replied, 'Always. The majority of the time I feel that way. I feel lovely', and she was surprised. Not because she thinks I'm a great fatty beast that couldn't ever feel good (I hope not anyway haha) but because she doesn't feel nice very often. It made me sad. 

Your body is only a body. It is flesh and blood and bones and gunk. Nobody will ever hate your body as much as you do and yet chances are, you think bad things about it on the regular. I bet as you read this you could instantly list three things you dislike about yourself. How quickly could you list three you love? How often do you look in the mirror and think, 'urgh my xyz looks too short/tall/fat/skinny/lumpy/flubby?'. A lot I bet. I do too. 

When I have those moments, those sad little moments where I'm so cruel, I remind myself that nobody cares, only me. Only I really think my tummy is disgusting. Why am I doing that? Why am I walking around telling my own self that I am unpleasant? It's a tummy. It's flesh. It's above my legs and below my boobs and nobody except me gives a hoot. And yet, I continue to be so demeaning. To myself. For no productive purpose. Breaking it down like that makes it seem like a really pointless thing to do. All I achieve is low self confidence and poor mental health. 

So, what if every time you point out (verbally or silently in your mind) something you dislike, you encourage yourself to point out something beautiful? I've been doing this for a while and I promise you, it makes a difference. You confidence is boosted, your burden is lightened and you start to realise you are fine, lovely in fact! There is nothing wrong with you. There is nothing disgusting about you. Your body is only a body. It is unique and perfect as it is. 

My advice to you this week, if you don't mind me offering it, is to try the 2-1 trick. If you think a bad thing about your body, note 2 good things as well. Drown out that negative little voice with a big positive one because nobody made any rules on what is beautiful so if you decide you are, then you just are. 

I'd love to hear from you what you do to help boost your self confidence and if you'd like to see more of this feature. I hope it reads ok as well, I'm helping my friend look after her newborn Daughter so I have to admit, I'm a little distracted!! 

Good luck with feeling gorgeous, you don't really need it though- you already are!

Toodlepip!

xx

Motherhood at 5

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Earlier this month, my tiny baby turned five. An entire five years of living. Half a decade. 

When I look back, 5 years feels like nothing but also a lifetime. So much has changed. 

Over her birthday I thought about the day(s) I was in hospital bringing her into the world, the hopes I had for her future and the things I learnt during that time. I found delivering Darcy the hardest thing I've ever done. No ifs or buts, child birth and the postpartum recovery can be very rough. I think about it every year and feel little pangs of panic and trauma but each year she gets older, it feels a bit easier. This was the first year I felt really unsupported in those feelings but I know in time I will grow and strengthen and they won't feel so painful. Life is funny isn't it? You have to do the hardest thing you can ever imagine to get the best thing you can ever imagine. She is the best. 

(Thank you so much to my friend Zoe for taking these pictures. I plan on printing some for the house)

Watching Darcy enjoy her day and feel so special was magical. This is a beautiful age. I love that we can talk about fairly deep things, I love the way her mind ticks over and mostly, I love that I can feel our bond deepening. I'll always be her Mother and I'll always love her but honestly, I adore this child. I know we'll be friends when she's an adult. We have similar personalities and I feel like very often I can understand her emotions and thought processes not just because I'm her Mummy and care giver, but because my mind works the same way too. I just get her. 

When she was born I optimistically hoped that our life would be that of the classic family and we'd all eat croissants in bed on a Sunday morning and laugh over dinner each night (and yanno, other non food based activities haha) and all be merry and bright. As you know, life didn't pan out that way and we are now a team of two, Darcy and Louise, on life's big adventure. 

I thought that as I went from parenting team to solo Mama that I would flounder. I thought I would fall short and not be able to give the nourishment that is required. A lot can change in a year. I feel like this has been my best year of Motherhood and that I've truly found my footing with it. When I walk past the Yummy Mummy's at the school gates, I don't feel inferior or like I'm pretending to do an OK job, I feel equal. I am doing a good job. 

(The gorgeous dress Darcy wore for her birthday was from Mothercare and these gifts are from Alfie and Zoe)

I always knew I would love being Darcy's Mother but I didn't always know I would love Motherhood. Does that make any sense? You can love so much to care for your own child but sometimes the role of Motherhood can be a title you don't want to take. It bands you in this big club of navy and white striped tops, sensible handbags with enough space for a bento box, endless chats about who's had what sniffle when and the constant arranging of meet ups at garish soft play centres. For a while I mocked this elite group and steered as far away from it as possible. And then, something changed. 

(Sneak peak of the incredible cake I ordered from the cutest bakery near my house. I'm obsessed with the colours, the glitter, the details. I'll upload the photos of her party soon and show you it more!)

(This is definitely being printed, framed and hung somewhere)

I realised life in the group is better. Motherhood is a privilege. Being with other Mother's is a joy. Their children play with your children, social development heightens, your calendar is filled, your happy memories are plentiful. Darcy loves all the fun we have with her little friends. We go to farms, have parties, have friends over for dinner, go swimming, play in the park and more. She does all these things with children her own age and you hear nothing but giggles and chatting and sweetness. 

For me too, Motherhood has been a saviour. It has been support and kindness and inspiration and motivation. I even have a penchant for a navy and white striped tee. What can I say? They're stylish AND practical haha. 

I made Darcy but Darcy has been the making of me. She has taught me a new kind of love and allowed me to find a new kind of strength. I walk with my head high and my heart full and one day when she's big enough, I will tell her how she made my life complete. 

For now though, she is five and I will let he be that. 

Happy Birthday Darcy, my sweet baby girl. 

Toodlepip!

xx

Darcy Does My Makeup

Aloha Sprinklerinos, 

How are your day's going? Mine is going well but I'm sooooo sleepy. I'm battling the urge to nap on my laptop!

Earlier this week I uploaded one of my most requested videos, 'Baby Glitter Does My Makeup'. It was an absolute hoot to film. Have you ever let a 4 year old loose with a whole load of colourful makeup and glitter? You should. Just to say you've experienced it!!

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Darcy really enjoyed the opportunity to make Mummy's face 'beautiful' and be in front of the camera- she's such a little ham. 

I definitely need to make more fun videos like this. Sometimes you can fall into the trap of trying to make serious or information-y content but this just-for-the-jollies piece was so worth the time and mess! I love hearing her little voice and all the strange little things she said as she was creating. 

(Screenshot from the video. What does this even mean??? Ha)

If you have a spare 5 minutes, please do go over and check the video out, it's suuuuuuper cute!!! You can watch it HERE or I have embedded it below (fingers crossed technology favours me!!)

Toodlepip! 

xx