Unfiltered Thoughts

Source: https://giphy.com/gifs/goldenglobes-golden-globes-2018-3o751URIlrafolK8Cc A recent conversation I had got me thinking about how, on social media and even in wider society, we tend to show the best of ourselves, and only the best. This is an obvious perception and perhaps justified in some ways as it would be very strange for the average person to record their breakdowns on social media, especially when it can already be such a toxic environment. We usually run away from social media during the times we're struggling. But what this conversation taught me is how important it is to surround yourself with people with whom you can be open, honest and speak your truth. And I don't mean this in a casual, conversational kind of way where you relate and debate over issues. I mean people you are able to completely bare yourself to. It's hard and takes time to get there with anyone, but I'm starting to learn that it's when we can be completely honest with p...

https://tenor.com/view/ellen-ellendegeneres-bekind-oneanother-show-gif-4410719 - A quote that Ellen Degeneres says at the end of every show and a powerful reminder that has always meant so much to me. Lately, I've been very reflective. This reflection has covered many aspects of my life. More specifically, I've come to the realisation that I often complaining about how people have treated me, or offended me. Just me, me and more me. It's always about how I'm the victim. Then one night when I couldn't get to sleep, I decided to watch a video interview on YouTube that I'd seen earlier in the day. It was an interview with Kayla Stoecklein (I'll link it below) who is the wife of Andrew Stoecklein, a pastor who, unfortunately, died by suicide in August last year. I bring up this interview to hone in on one thing she spoke about. She relayed a quote from a sermon Andrew's mother had preached in their church in the months following his death. And this...

Source:  https://memegenerator.net/instance/76135101/ Something I've struggled with for as long as I can remember is self-confidence. It is a topic on which there are many books, long and short courses, quotes and steps to help you improve. And when you tell people you don't feel confident about a certain thing, they often tell you not to worry about it, or just to 'believe in yourself', which has always been of great assistance, of course *cries internally*. Despite all the help available, I have still struggled to believe in myself and my talents at the best of times. Sometimes I've felt like I need constant validation (which, of course, is not healthy and doesn't help with building self-confidence ironically - like some sort of sick joke), but this has never been of much help, because after one dosage of validation wears off, I'm left feeling the same way. Now, I decided at one point that I need a remedy to this. I just need to take control a...