SpeakUpJV

Finding a balance between your job and your personal life can often times be difficult. We tend to become overwhelmed by stressors at our jobs and then once our day is over, we bring it home with us. Practicing mindfulness throughout your day is essential to finding that balance. Although having a job is important, it should not consume your entire life. Dedicate time to yourself to breathe, to practice self-care, and accomplish goals. Remember to secure your bag but also secure your peace.

The definition of your own value is dependent on what you allow to have control over you. It's no secret that life will test you but only you decide how you will react to a situation. That's why it’s important to have standards and self-discipline. Be aware of who or what is in your space and getting your time. You must think of the long term and what’s best for you, what will bring you peace. The higher your value is, the lower your chances are that you will put up with some bs.

Breakups can be messy and oftentimes leave us with many unanswered questions. It’s easy to relive the pain but you have the choice to either continue to dwell on the past or provide yourself with your own answers. The best form of closure comes from you because you gain your own power back. The past no longer has control over you when you decide to close that chapter. Protecting your wellbeing and mental health is essential to moving forward and it all starts when you close it your damn self.

A picture may be worth a thousand words but the energy you emit is worth so much more. Your energy speaks before you do when you enter a room, a conversation, or a relationship. As Nipsey Hussle said, master your energy and what you put into the universe because you’re entitled to the experience you create. Learn to be in your own company and in the right company because the energy you carry is important. Know what needs to change and what can remain the same. So, how loud is your energy?

Beauty standards have changed throughout the years, always excluding a specific group. Before social media, beauty standards were primarily seen on TV and magazines. Now, we use it to decide what body type, hair texture, or skin tone is considered beautiful. These standards can take a toll on our self-esteem. While it is normal to have insecurities, it isn't when you let them dictate your decisions to alter your body. What you say to yourself matters and you are as beautiful as you say you are.

In a relationship, being a good spouse, family member, or friend means being there for each other. You both share the good and bad moments and give advice in hopes that the other person will find comfort in your words. Maybe they will learn from their situation and move forward. However, as much as you would like to save them, you need to allow the other person to make their own mistakes. Protect your own well-being and allow yourself to take some space. Remember that it's ok to step back.

The end of the year tends to be a time of self-reflection for most of us. As we prepare for 2019, we take a look back at the past 365 days and reflect on what we have left behind. Maybe it was a relationship, old dietary habits, or just a really bad haircut. Whatever it was, it was no longer serving us and we took the lessons we learned from them in order to create room for growth. Take a listen and find out what is on our list of things we have decided to leave behind in 2018.