How to Forgive Yourself for Making Mistakes

"Mistakes are proof you're trying!"

...hands up if you've seen that little gem a million times on Pinterest? - I'm not disagreeing with the sentiment, at all, in fact I'm trying daily to embrace it, but it's hard isn't it?

However much you try to remind yourself that mistakes are part of life, that everyone makes them, it doesn't make it any easier in the aftermath of actually making one - especially if it's a great big clanger!

But here's the thing: Mistakes do happen. You will make them. And that's okay.

What's important, is how you deal with them.

As someone who has spent more hours than she'd care to admit berating herself for blunders she's made over the years, here are my own ways of trying to stop the cycle of doom!

How To Be Your Own Biggest Fan!

When did you last take time to congratulate yourself on a job well done? To give yourself a tiny cheer; or celebrate a victory, however small?

If you're struggling to remember, ask yourself this instead: when did you last give yourself a hard time for not doing a good enough job, for messing up or falling short?

It's an easy trap to fall into isn't it? It';s so much easier to be self critical - most of us are guilty at some point of being our own worst critic when really:

* * * We should be our own loudest cheerleader! * * *

Because let's be honest, who else is going to do it for you? You need to believe in yourself before you can expect anyone else to!

So, with that in mind, here are some ideas to help start tipping the balance in your favour, to get you on your way to being your own biggest fan!

How to AVOID the Comparison Trap!

The comparison trap is an easy one to fall into - even if you're deliberately trying NOT to!

You start out harmlessly scrolling your social media feed of choice, and before you know it, you're wishing you coulf drop a dress size, upscale your house & book a lavish holiday.

S T O P ! ! !

Remember: 99% of what you see on social media is NOT real life. It's a curated feed of perfectly styled snapshots of tiny moments in time.

T A K E . A . M O M E NT ! ! !

...be grateful for everything YOU have & remind yourself that that stuff, is REAL! So don't go letting what you wish you had cast a shadow on what you've already got.

D E C L U T T E R

If there are accounts on your socials that constantly make you feel like you're not enough, or that your life's not photogenic enough, or just bring you down in any way... DITCH THEM! Delete, unfollow, block. You don't need that sort of negativity in your life!
(You can always re-follow when you're in a happier headspace.)

In the meantime, fill your feed with what DOES make you smile, what makes you feel empowered, content, and HAPPY with who you are & what you've got going on.

Above all else, remember that comparing YOUR fully rounded, messy, complicated, access all areas version of REAL life to someone elses carefully styled & curated highlights reel just doesn't make sense.  Comparison is the thief of joy; and when you're not even comparing like for like, it's definitely a recipe for disaster!


If you'd like a postcard or sticker of this tiny reminder to keep, have a look at my Crush Comparison Collection - - - If you'd like to see more tiny reminders, check out my Instagram and/or add yourself to my email list :) - - - If you'd like to support my work, I'd be delighted to have you over on Patreon!

Be your OWN biggest Fan!

...because you're pretty great :)

It's okay to NOT do it all.

...it really is.

It's okay to say no when someone asks a favour - even if it's a good friend - if you're too busy, overwhelmed, or just not into it, that's YOUR call.

It's okay to turn down an opportunity if it doesn't feel like a good fit, or if you're just plain too busy with other things to spin another plate.

It's okay to ignore the FOMO & turn down an invite if all you really want to do is stay home & catch up on sleep.
(Or bingewatch a netflix show with snacks.)

Sometimes, "No." is a full sentence, and that's okay too.

It's OKAY to have a rest!

...so you didn't exactly smash your to do lis today?

NO WORRIES!!

Cut yourself some slack, get some rest, and go back to it fresh tomorrow :)

Think Happy Thoughts!

...never underestimate the power of a good brain dump!
Get aaalllll your thoughts out & down on paper, then filter through & ditch the ones that are doing you no good!
I chatted about my way of doing it in this letter but whatever works for you, DO IT!

Negative thoughts take up WAY too much room.
(You can grab a handy negative thoughts eraser here too!)

Happiness isn't ONE BIG THING...

...those little things? Kind of a big deal!

Make the time to notice & appreciate them & see what sort of effect it has on your mood ;)

This is another little pal from my Happiness Collection - he's also available as an instant download if you'd like to print a reminder :)

Let Yourself Be Happy In Advance!

...because you never know what good stuff is waiting around the corner!

This little guy is available as a postcard & a sticker as part of my Happiness Collection here, and you can also download him an instant here :)

Smiley Snail Mail - A Handwritten Letter & Colourful Treats from Me to You!

Hands up if you love the (slightly retro) thrill of receiving good old fashioned post?
(The good stuff i mean, not bills or bank statements)

Me Too! Which is why I have started a new project over at Leslieanne Made It: Say hello to Smiley Snail Mail! 😀💌

Once a month, I'm going to fill up colourful envelopes with treats & cheer, & send them out into the world to make people smile! Want one? Keep Reading!

Are You Taking Good Care of You?

I love a rainbow coloured, sweet smelling bath bomb bath as much as the next person (to be honest, I may as well set up some sort of monthly standing order to feed my Lush habit), but this <<< little guy is my way of saying I'm a tiny bit worried that the phrase 'self care' is becoming sort of like when people thought Hygge was just buying a cosy blanket and stringing up some fairy lights. (Those are gorgeous things too, but there's so much more to Hygge than that! - That's another post for another day!)

For me, self care means being kind to yourself in a million tiny different ways.
Sure, spoiling yourself with fancy baths and your favourite treats is part of it, but it's also all boring but important things; like making sure you get enough sleep, giving yourself time out when everything gets a bit much, drinking plenty of water, taking your makeup off before bed... (subliminal note to self there!)