3 Tips to Level Up Your Life
Hello lovely people!
Today’s post is for my Black women in particular, but I think everyone can gain something from blocking out the noise and cultivating themselves to become even better than they were before! Growth is a beautiful thing, and we must embrace it.
The year 2021 is well underway, and with a new year comes a new opportunity to do all the things we’ve always wanted to do.
Maybe you decide you want to give love another chance in this new year, or perhaps you promised yourself you would make a much needed pivot in your career. Whatever you have decided to give your energy to, remember that it is always a good idea to invest in yourself.
When you choose to invest in yourself and your goals, you send a signal out to the universe that you are ready to receive that which you are working towards. You must be intentional in your journey of betterment, because that is the only way you will see results.
Our twenties get a bad rep sometimes because we are still coming into adulthood and experiencing newfound growing pains. However, it isn’t all bad! This is an opportunity to look at life through a new lens- one that is laden with possibility and light. As a Nigerian woman, I know my culture can place heavy emphasis on being a good wife , or being a good daughter, or being a good student. If you are Nigerian, or from a similar cultural background, you may be able to relate. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a good spouse, daughter, or student, I would implore us all to think about who we want to become for ourselves. We cannot become so preoccupied with societal, cultural, and familial expectations that we neglect to pour into ourselves.
We have to block out the noise.
“Face your front”, as my mother would say.
And yes, it is easier said than done. It really can be hard to block out some of the repeated bullsh*t that life can spew, but we must harness positivity within our hearts and still imagine a better life for ourselves. We cannot be superwoman at all times, sometimes we have to reset, recharge, and even redo. And that is ok.
I think that is what sets boss babes apart- the humility to understand that they will make mistakes in this life, but the self-love to know that they will be better and they deserve the chance to become better. We all know women who possess that certain “je ne sais quoi'“ and we wonder how they were able to chase their dreams with an air of elegance, class, and self-confidence.
In the words of my Nigerian parents, those women do not have two heads! They were facing their front and made it happen! And you can make it happen as well.
If you don’t know where to begin, here are some tips on how to get you focused on your future. Because you have one, and it deserves to be bright.
1. Decide what your ideal life looks like.
What are your dreams? What are your aspirations? Brainstorm and write them down. They don’t have to feel realistic, just write it down. I also like to make Pinterest boards of different elements of my dream life- a dream is a wish your heart makes so don’t hold back! If you want to live in a castle put it on there, the mind is a powerful thing. If you can visualize it then you can do it.
2. What are some areas you need to improve in to get there?
If you want to write a book, are you writing everyday? If you want to get into your dream university or grad program, how are you doing in school? If you want to win a pageant, are you investing in your beauty routine and advocating for causes you care about? If you want to become wealthy, are you surrounding yourself with people who are already there?
3. Put a plan to action!
Now that you have done some much needed self reflection, DO SOMETHING.
Act on what you need to improve. You don’t have to tackle everything all at once. This journey should be fun, and you must remember that masterpieces take time to create. Be patient with yourself and break it all down into smaller pieces. Get a journal and write your heart out. Get a tutor to better understand the subjects that are tripping you up, or start a study group with your friends who understand the material. Start investing in your hair and your skincare. If you are completely lost on where to begin, leave a comment below and I’ll make a separate post (or perhaps a video) on how to keep up with your beauty investments on a budget! Research causes you care about. How can you lend your voice and your help in a genuine way?
And lastly, take an assessment of the people you surround yourself with. Do they have visions for their lives? Do they have ambitions or are they content with being mediocre? Not everyone wants to be Barack Obama or Naomi Campbell and that is ok. BUT if you know you want to become someone who is immensely successful in their field then it’s time to start finding people with the same mindset. Energy is contagious so be mindful of the energy you keep around you.
I hope these tips help you as you laser in on your goals! 🤎
You need a vision, a plan, and the discipline to get to your goal by any means necessary. Think of yourself as a garden. You can start planting the seeds for your dream life RIGHT NOW. Be patient and diligent, and soon you will bear the fruit of your labor.
Jobs, men, even feelings, all come and go. But no one can ever take away your greatest investment when it’s yourself!