Ever had one of those mornings where you feel frazzled and out of sorts, where you don’t quite know what to do next after that morning cup of coffee because your to-do list keeps getting longer by the minute?
As a working mum of one, that was me on most days. I lived my life as if I was stuck in traffic during rush hour – so many places to go, so many things to do but yet stuck. Delayed by that one last minute work to push out, or stopped by a toddler tantrum that needs to be resolved. There are big things out there to do; yet there are also big things in the house to do. As a woman of ambition, I was losing control, struggling between the responsibilities of the home as a wife and mother and the ambitions of a career woman.
Things got to breaking point when I discovered that I missed many deadlines at work as well as slacking on the home front. I was not in control in neither parts of my life. So I sat, revamped and took life on from a different angle. Can a woman do it all? Yes, if she sets her mind to it. Here are five ways that will help empower all you kick-ass women out there.
Be Comfortable On Your Own
I am a daughter, a wife and a mum. But that’s not all. I am also a smart, driven, and adventure-loving person. Don’t be afraid to think of yourself outside the obvious. You are not just a mother or a wife (or husband, or father). You are your own self. Find some time to go out and truly be comfortable in your own skin and spending much needed quality time on your own. Perhaps it’s an indulgent trip to mall, or on a lovely picnic by the beach. Or perhaps you’d like to take some time to travel to a retreat in Spain. Whatever it is, take time for yourself. Spending some time alone is an empowering feeling as it reminds you that you are capable of doing things on your own. Spending “me time” energises you – body, mind and soul. Make going out alone a routine part of your week, maybe during the weekend, so that you’ll feel energised come Monday morning.
Stay Connected
Where possible, make a point to build positive and lasting relationships with people. Be it at work with your peers or bosses, or outside work with friends and family, build meaningful relationships that you can count on. Having a solid network with solid relationships empowers you, as you know that you will have someone to turn to in times of difficulties. Success is only possible when you treat others the way you want to be treated – with kindness, regard and respect. Remember that the way to the top doesn’t have to be lonely!
Meditate Regularly
We’ve all heard it before – “meditation is the key to happiness and ultimate success”. But how can a daily meditation practice empower you? Meditation helps you clear your mind and set your priorities straight. It helps you see things from a different perspective. It helps you get better sleep at night and make better choices in the morning. Meditation gives you back the control of your life that you need.
Find strength through meditation in your everyday life by making the practice a regular part of your mornings. Spend as little as five minutes each day in silence and calm your mind. If you don’t know where to start, you can make use of the vast library of guided meditation available online.
Have a Daily Mantra
Change the way you begin your day by adding a daily mantra or affirmation. Every day, create a mantra that will help guide you towards feeling empowered and strong. Repeat it a couple of times and write it down. As a yogi, my daily mantra is the Ohm mantra. The resounding ohm reverberating within my chest reminds me that the world is bigger than me. It reminds me to be present and never sweat the little stuff. It is comforting as it is motivating. Take time to find a mantra or affirmation that suits you and your needs. Place your affirmation somewhere you can see as a good reminder for you throughout the day. Your mantra can be anything that motivates you and that reminds you that you are indeed a strong person.
Set Goals
Before you set out to clear your tasks, set yourself a goal. Clearly visualise what it is that you want to achieve at the end and remind yourself of your goal. Keep your goals short and concise. Set goals that excite you and inspire you. This will help you make it a priority each day to work towards your goal. Once you have clear goals of what you want, write it down. Goals are a great way to feel empowered as it keeps you focused and motivated on a daily basis. It gives you a purpose especially when you feel like you’re ‘drowning’ in a mountain of things to do.
Photos by Austin Schmid, Brooke Cagle and Freestocks via Unsplash
