If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience, I will dispense this advice now: (Baz Luhrman)
I love this pic below, and I get asked this question a lot by clients, students, friends, and those I work with in various capacities through magazines, blogs, and online pubs.
I don’t find the answer super deep or esoteric, but rather plain and simple — I self-evaluate frequently and stay true to what I believe and what I think and feel. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a static process, but rather constantly changing and evolving, but I allow it to move about and around me, and I don’t worry about the change. Sometimes this means leaving some things behind that you thought would always be there, and this freaks some people out. So many people feel that they need to label themselves as one thing, such as what they do for a living or what they feel they are good at currently, creating an identity that becomes rather suffocating. The word identity has a couple of definitions listed in the dictionary, but one is “the fact of being who or what a person or thing is.” If you take this definition and dissect it, this gives us the freedom to move through life exploring and learning and trying new things, without the fear of losing what we thought made us who we are, because there is no real definition of what that thing is or what that timeline is to define it.
Understanding that we are constantly in motion, often changing internally and/or externally without even knowing it allows wonderful people and opportunities into our life
This has been very true in my experience, especially working in fitness and health. Initially, I just had a passion for helping others to feel good about themselves and learn to take care them of themselves, knowing that the benefits of this through physical exercise carry over to so many other capacities in life. Through becoming a Master Trainer with the ISSA, I met amazing mentors, while also getting to work with clients that inspired me in different ways. My work began to evolve into teaching, writing, also online training to reach a greater number of people, and also a new depth of training and pushing my own limits physically.
Outside of fitness and health, which does spill into my life as a whole, I also enjoy plenty of people and activities that do not necessarily have anything to do with fitness or health specifically. I love all things fitness, nutrition, new workout equipment, new workout clothes, workout magazines (heck I write for several!!! ) but other areas of my life such as my husband, friends, family and of course MY DOGS all deserve my time and attention, and I enjoy every minute I spend with them. While often we do something physical together, having a quiet evening in with a glass of wine (yes, a glass of wine...um, hello, BALANCE) or enjoying a summer evening grilling some delicious food and listening to great music with friends are really important parts of my life. Your perspective becomes wider, and you learn to appreciate people in a totally different light when company and laughter and sharing life’s experiences are enough.
So, think about it—what lack are you constantly feeling in your life?
This feeling is nagging for a reason… so listen to it, but don’t force a job, an activity, or even a friendship for the sake of fitting puzzle pieces together that you think will create the big picture of your life that “makes sense.” Instead, stay open, stay present, and pay attention to all the peaks and valleys, because rolling hills are far more interesting and exhilarating anyway.
Remember that one day your work will end, so take stock in your relationships and find your center—meaning what you think about the world, yourself, how you treat others, how you interact with your community/family/friends, and what inspires you and makes you feel alive and positive.
And At The End Of The Day:
Be careful whose advice you buy but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth. (Baz Luhrman)
Yours in health and fitness,
Recommendations
- BeautyBalance ~ Advanced PMS Formula
- BeautyCalm ~ Anti-Stress Formula
- BeautyBum Nighttime ~ Anti-Aging Stress Release Body Lotion