Showing posts with label Self-Improvement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self-Improvement. Show all posts
4 Amazing Ways Women Can Empower Themselves

4 Amazing Ways Women Can Empower Themselves

Posted by March 05, 2022

 
March is Women’s History Month. There’s no better time to embody the women who came before us by empowering yourself and other women in your life. This March, we’re raising each other up and inspiring women to be the best versions of themselves.
 
Follow these tips to discover what areas you can become more empowered in, and lead a happier and stronger life. 


Within Relationships 
 
Empowered women empower women. That's why it's so important to surround yourself with women who lift you up instead of tearing you down. Knowing how to identify what relationships are working to strengthen you and those around you, is key to cultivating more of them in your life. This also allows you to set boundaries with the ones that don’t. Finding people who validate your self-expression and the boundaries you have will help you continue to empower yourself and others.

With my bestie, Nada

 

If you feel like you aren’t fully fulfilled in your current relationships, focus on what you need and what you’re getting in return. Then, decide if you feel like your current relationships can develop. If they can't, maybe it’s time to make some new friends. Consider an app that introduces you to other people looking to make friends in your community, some even have filters where you can look for female friends nearby. 


Financially
 
Financial literacy is an area most women could use a little empowerment in as it’s rarely taught in schools or educational institutions. Financial empowerment can save women thousands over the years as they learn how to properly manage their finances. And avoid needing to pay a professional to do it for us. Knowing the benefits and process behind tasks like how to refinance your mortgage, how to balance a checkbook, how to plan for your retirement, and how to file your tax returns can make a huge difference in how you feel about your finances.
 

Financial empowerment can help lead to smarter financial decisions and security in other areas of your life. It also ensures that no matter what happens to the relationships in your life, you’ll always be able to take care of yourself. 


Educationally
 
Another way women can empower themselves is by mastering a craft. Picking a new area to study or continuing your education in an area you have already studied can be very satisfying. It can even translate to bettering of other areas of your life. For instance, if you learn new skills that can make you a more marketable employee, you can request a raise or promotion from your current employer or search for new job opportunities. 
 
Learning a new skill could even help you make the jump to being self-employed, a dream for many women. Starting a new business is a great way to empower yourself and set an example for other women to start small businesses of their own.

In Your Health 
 
At times, discussing female health issues can feel taboo or like some big secret you have to hide from the rest of the world. But it’s so important to put aside those feelings so you can take control of your health and treatment. 
Make sure you’re going to your regular annual appointments like your doctor, OB/GYN, and dentist. These annual appointments are the best times for medical professionals to evaluate your overall health or any concerns you may have. Also, sit down with your family and discuss your genetic history. That way you can practice preventive medicine or know what to look for if you experience any health changes.
 
Beyond your physical health, make sure you’re taking care of your mental health. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your mental health can help you prevent stress and burnout. Like your physical health, consult a professional to discuss strategies on how to improve the state of your mental health. 
 

Taking control of your health can empower you to enjoy your daily life without stress. Adventurous activities like a hike won’t seem so scary when you know your heart can handle it, just like an important conversation won’t seem so scary when you know your mind can handle it.
 
 
There are many other little ways we can empower our lives and make a positive change. But these are the major ones in broad areas of your life - health, money, relationships and education. Remember, putting yourself first and making sure you're happy will help you help other women. 

Let me know some of the ways you've empowered your life, in the comments below. I'd love to hear your story!
Read more »
Shabana Feroze
0 Comments
3 Core Hacks To Improve Self-Care

3 Core Hacks To Improve Self-Care

Posted by January 11, 2022



Self-care is such an important part of health and well-being. But we often get caught up in our busy lives and overlook it. I used to be the same until I realized the power of self-care in loving myself.

All of us want to live the best and most fulfilling life we possibly can. And there are plenty of things that you can do that help with this. But one of the biggest is to make sure you focus on constantly improving your self-care as much as you possibly can. 

Self-care embodies so many different aspects of your life and the way you choose to live. Self-care looks different for everyone. It's super important to know what YOU like. And then focus on making the most of it.


There are many, many ideas to help improve your self-care. But these 3 hacks are the ones almost everyone can do, no matter your personality and lifestyle. And you'll see a huge improvement in your overall well-being as a result.


Get In Shape


As a fitness instructor, you knew this would be my number one hack. Getting in shape is one of the most important ways of practicing self-care in your life. Because it not only improves the way you look, but how you feel.


It's something that you can start right away. I mean, you can do ten push-ups right now. Even better if you're reading this at your workplace and all your colleagues stare at you. On a serious note, find the type of workout you love doing, and get moving!




Come up with a fitness regimen that's perfect for you and one you adore. This'll not only keep you in shape and improve your health. But it'll be one you stick to.


There are a lot of things you can do that help with getting in shape, setting up a fitness regimen and the next hack are the first steps to take.


Eat Better


There are a gazillion things you can do to help improve your self-care and look after yourself better. Looking at what you eat is one of the best ways of self-love. There are a lot of different ways to do this. Reduce meat, reduce heavy food, limit your alcohol intake, eat smaller meals. The bottom line is that eating better will always make you feel good.



Make a few small tweaks here and there and look after what you put into your body. Because these are the things that make you healthier in the long term. And when you're healthy, life in general becomes better.


Working On Your Confidence


Maybe you feel like you don't deserve to make yourself feel good. That feeling stems from a place of insecurity. That's why boosting and improving your confidence is an excellent way of being able to do loads of self-care.


There are plenty of things you can do to work on your confidence. It could be something common like losing weight. A big life change like switching careers. Something simple as getting a makeover. Or something very specific to your life. For instance, you may want to learn more about getting your hearing aid repaired.


Taking steps to inject more confidence into your life is something you can do that's going to improve your life, your health, and your wellness.



Summing Up

In today's stressful times, self-care is one of the key areas of your life you need to prioritize. You have to put yourself first. And there are a lot of different aspects of life that you can make the most of when it comes to improving your self-care routine. Eventually, how you take care of yourself will improve your wellness and overall health moving forward. And improve your entire life.


Read more »
Shabana Feroze
0 Comments
How KonMari Changed My Life {Before The Netflix Show Came Out}

How KonMari Changed My Life {Before The Netflix Show Came Out}

Posted by August 23, 2019

I read Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up last year and became a huge fan {and dedicated disciple} of her tidying up and Sparking Joy method. I followed her instructions to the T and over a month or so, I KonMari’d all my possessions. 

It was the best thing I ever did. She says in her book that her method will change your life. And she’s right. I know KonMari has become such a huge trend now and it’s everywhere because of her Netflix series releasing this year. {I watched a few episodes and I think it SUCKS. It does not show the essence of this tiny, adorable, brilliant woman’s method, her wit and her sharp mind the way her books do.} And maybe you’re getting sick of seeing KonMari everywhere. But here’s why you should read her books {there are two} and you should incorporate this simple but wonderful method into your life.


The KonMari method is all about sparking joy. The way you tidy everything is by asking yourself if it sparks joy. If it doesn’t, it has to go. When I read this, I fell in love with it because all my life I have been trying to do everything to increase happiness. You know I’m all about loving yourself, making your life beautiful and increasing happiness levels. And Marie’s method uses exactly that ONE thing as a gauge- joy, happiness. 

But the life-changing part of it is that it runs deeper than just the things in your home. Because throughout her book she tells you that by going through her cleaning process {she has a certain sequence of cleaning out the items in your house} you will teach yourself to identify things that spark joy in every single area of your life and to go about your life making sure that everything you do makes you happy. 


And that’s the real purpose of the KonMari method. She wants you to learn how to ONLY do the things that spark joy and not settle for anything less. She wants you to make your life beautiful, starting with the things you own so you see beauty and joy even when you open a drawer. Here are mine, below:

  

In her book, she says that many of her clients, after finishing tidying up their house, saw a major improvement in their life. They got out of a miserable relationship. They left a job they hated. They lost weight. 

All these things happen because through the tidying process, you train yourself to know what makes you happy. And it’s not just what makes you happy happy. It’s sparking joy. It’s more than just happiness. It’s something that makes you feel that zing of pleasure shoot up your body. It’s a spark. A flash, a jolt, a burst. Of euphoria, jubilation, ecstasy. So much better than plain old happiness. 


After KonMari’ing your home and possessions, she tells you that everything you buy from this point on must spark joy. In the shop, you need to touch it and ask yourself if it sparks joy. If it doesn’t, don’t buy it. So the method doesn’t stop once your home is tidied. {That’s also the exact reason it stays tidy. Because you’re no longer getting things that don’t spark joy.}

Once you get into the KonMari and sparking-joy flow, you start to ask yourself- what else is in my life that doesn’t spark joy? My friends? My job? My apartment? You start to alter your entire life and decision-making process around joy. 


What I particularly love about this is that It’s such a simple solution to everything. Don’t know what to do in a particular situation? Ask yourself if what you’re about to do sparks joy. Don’t know what to choose from the menu? Ask yourself if it sparks joy. Don’t know if you want to go out or stay in? Ask yourself which one sparks joy.


This method has become my go-to. I use it for everything. For instance, while choosing which photos to keep for my post after a shoot, I look at each photo and ask if it sparks joy. If not, I delete it. Even for working with clients in my business, I ask myself -do they spark joy? If not, I reject the client. I have never regretted it. It has served me perfectly and worked for me every single time for everything.


WHY this works is very simple- it hones your intuition. Your instincts and gut always know what is right and wrong for you. By you asking your heart {yes, you’re asking your heart. I know this because when I ask myself if something beautiful sparks joy, my heart will say no but the rational brain will say HOW CAN IT NOT SPARK JOY IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL. But the heart quietly whispers again- no.} if something sparks joy, you are listening to it more. You start to ask your heart more questions. This makes your intuition really sharp and focused. It knows when to speak up. It guides you. 


I noticed that doing this method for more than a year now, my intuition has become stronger. And I can give you an example of it because it happened 10 minutes before I started writing this post. I was home on a Friday afternoon and my intuition told me to dress up, go to a particular cafe at a particular location, and write. So I did. When I ordered the food and coffee at this cafe using my credit card, I got it for free because of a promotion going on by the credit card company. It's the little things like this that reassure me that my intuition is getting stronger.


So yes, I’m a big fan of the KonMari method and I like to experiment with it by finding newer and different things to ask myself about it sparking joy. I love how my room {I live with my family and as I mentioned in this post, I can’t really KonMari the entire home so I at least did it for my room and my stuff} looks now, and how each drawer, each bit of space looks and how easy it is to find all my stuff. I love how it simplifies my shopping process and all other decision-making processes in my life.

To sum it up, I urge you to read Marie Kondo’s books. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up. Your home will look beautiful and tidy if you follow the KonMari method, this is a given. If not for anything, read her books for the wit and humour of her writing. But yes, read them to get motivated to declutter your space, your mind, your life. It really is like magic and it truly is life-changing. 

Dress: Saji's Couture, Bag & Accessories: Parfois, Shoes: ?

Until next time, 

xoxo
Read more »
Shabana Feroze
0 Comments
How I Stopped Being a Control Freak (And How You Can, Too)

How I Stopped Being a Control Freak (And How You Can, Too)

Posted by August 05, 2019


I used to be that person. The person who hated it when things didn’t go a certain way or how I envisioned them. I would get really worked up and upset if I couldn't control certain situations or things or how a place should look like. 

In other words, I used to be a control freak.


But soon I realized life doesn’t work that way. Life is messy and chaotic. The fact is, you just CAN NOT control every person and every situation in life. And the more you try, the more stressed out you become. 

The biggest lie about wanting to control everything is that you believe it’ll make your life better and easier. But getting things under control is like a short-term drug. When you’ve finally managed to do it, you feel high. Until the next situation comes up that you just can’t control.


Another perceived benefit why you try to control is because you think you’ll feel at peace when you have everything “under control”. But you’re really not at peace. Because you need everything a certain way, even the smallest thing going awry will make you feel upset and you’ll spend time and effort trying to make everything right again.

Of course, the reason why we like to control everything is that we FEAR that if we don’t, the result won’t be how we like it or what we got before. And like all fears, we need to let go or face them to move forward in life. 

I realized this and I started to let go of control. I’d be in situations where I wanted things a certain way. I would INSIST on them to be that way. Even if all persons and circumstances and the entire universe were preventing it. Then I’d ask myself, wait, WHY am I so hung up on this? WHY can’t I let go? There has to be some flaw in me that makes me insist on things going my way. 


So I tried to stop becoming fixated on having power and a say over everything and let others do things their way. Or let the situation manage itself. And each time I let go of control, things just fell into place. It was amazing. 


I then trained myself to keep doing that. Whenever I would get caught up in situations where out of habit I insisted on things being a certain way, I’d take a moment, realize that I was holding too tightly to what I thought was right, and then think, hey, I can let go of this. And even if everything didn’t sort itself out magically, at least I let go of that stress and insistence on doing things my way. 


To give you an example, I like everything neat and organized. The rest of my family is not as neat as I am. Since we live together, our home isn’t as neat and put-together as I want it to be. I used to get extremely worked up about it and tried my hardest to make everything super tidy and minimalistic. It only ended up with me becoming frustrated and irritated with my family. 


I realized that I had to let go. It’s their home as well and for them, this is the way that makes them happy and comfortable. So now even when I see clothes lying around or something that's not in its place, I force myself to let it go. I keep my room as organized and KonMari’d as I like. When the clutter of the rest of the house gets to me, I go into my room and I feel calmer. 


Letting go of control doesn’t mean that I don’t do ANYthing my way anymore. It just means I don’t get wound up when things DON’T go my way. 


The biggest benefit of this is that you open yourself up to new ways of doing things. You learn new things simply by accident - because what you wanted to do didn’t work out so you had to use another way. And that way turned out to be better. 

So if you’re a person who absolutely needs to have everything under control at all times, give this a try. Start to let go of things bit by bit. When you feel resistance or you feel like you just can’t control a situation, give in. You might be pleasantly surprised at how much more relaxed it makes you and how easy the outcome of the situation is.


Also- it makes you a much more likeable person. Just sayin’.





On a style note, how happy am I that brogues and oxfords for women are so popular right now? They were a trend a few years ago and they were too stylized and OTT at the time. Now you get them in much simpler styles and shapes, and they’re available everywhere. So much so that yours truly could get a few in her crazy-big foot size. They’re so common now that I’m almost seeing ballet flats dying out. Yesssssssssssss. *does a victory dance*

I actually DID a victory dance. There you go.



I love how brogues and oxfords go with everything and make any look super-polished and elegant. And of course, they’re comfortable AF. They add just the right amount of preppiness to your outfit and they’re such a great shoe choice for the office. I’m loving the new trend of brogues with platforms and I’ve bought a funky metallic gold pair that I’m dying to do a shoot in!



Clothes: Saji's Couture, Bag & Rings: Gifted, Watch: Parfois, Sunglasses & Shoes: Aldo

P.S: If you love these posts on self-love and self-improvement, you'll love my book, Loving Yourself In Style. It's on summer sale now so click this link and get your copy!

 Let me know in the comments if you like the idea of letting go of control, or shall we say stop being a control-freak, and if you’re going to try it. Also, let me know if you hate ballet flats as much as I do!
Until next time,

xoxo


Read more »
Shabana Feroze
0 Comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
[name=About Me] [img=https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipP6wdDIrRF_dx-pVv8PqBiSrQRKrEMzJ7vf1N7r/photo/AF1QipNnYi7lR3UkPF0ptL0QV_mqWadL-JCe7F7afRiS] [description=I'm an entrepreneur, published author, fitness instructor and artist. But most of all, I'm me. And I LOVE being me. Through this blog, I want to inspire you to love being you, too. I enjoy dressing up, chasing my passions, travelling the world, staying fit and encouraging others to do the same. If you'd like to know more, click the Who I Am tab on the top of the site! Thank you for reading my blog!] (facebook=https://www.facebook.com/TheSilverKickDiaries/?fref=ts) (instagram=https://www.instagram.com/thesilverkickdiaries/) (twitter=https://twitter.com/SilverKick) (bloglovin=https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/silver-kick-diaries-3736366) (pinterest=https://www.pinterest.com/silverkick/)