NOURISH TO FLOURISH

Continually trying to live up to other people’s expectations can be detrimental to our own self-worth/self-esteem. Instead of believing in our own talents and capabilities, respecting ourselves and standing up for our own preferences we can end up losing ourselves whilst we try to please everyone else.

Expectations can stem from parents, spouses, friends, family, teachers, peers, social norms, media, workplaces and ourselves. They can be formed and learned in childhood and adolescence, but what happens to us in adulthood can also affect our self-esteem. Similar factors in childhood can contribute to the development of our self-esteem in adulthood such as traumatic events, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse, relationship difficulties, criticism and physical/mental illness. All of which can have an impact on the thoughts we have about ourselves and our strengths, abilities and potential (temporary and constantly).

My hope is that over time, and with lots of practice, we can stop, think and reflect on ourselves more to identify ways of improving our self-esteem/worth and valuing ourselves more.

I created You Matter Always with the hope of reminding you how important you are and how much you matter. To reiterate the significance of your thoughts, feelings, voice, story and life. I constructed it from a place of strength, courage, hope and love because that is what I hope for all of you. I hope that you recognise your strengths, abilities and potential and nourish your inner strengths so that they can become your outer foundations.

With the ongoing participation, teamwork and partnership in the workshops, cards, blog and FB/Instagram/Twitter pages, I hope to turn problems into possibilities. I hope to reiterate the power of ‘YET’. Because, we might not understand things, we might not be able to do things and we might not be where we thought we would be…YET!

In the words of Helen Keller “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” So, let’s make positive change and be kinder to ourselves and each other…TOGETHER.