Coucou!
When I began writing this blog I thought: Where do I start? It is this same thought that struck me at 12am Jan 1st 2017. (My good fortune would have it that I started in Paris, unfortunately sans champagne....but I digress) If you're anything like me you're both excited and anxious about turning a new leaf. Luckily for me however, experience has taught that there are so many opportunities that await us when we embrace new beginnings.

After over 3 years of dating I started 2016 a single woman, in the middle of the year I quit my job and by October I was settling into a new place, thousands of miles away from home. Needless to say,  I had a lot of practice with fresh starts last year. No doubt, it was a rollercoaster year for me but I learned so much, especially about myself, that I can't help but to look to these impending months with steadfast enthusiasm, good faith and a sizeable amount of chutzpah to see me through.

This past year I've taken to writing down a few things that really helped me to move forward. I refer to them as a constant reminder to myself  to keep pushing regardless of the obstacles I encountered. I thought I would share them with you, in case you or someone you know may find them useful.-

Forgive: Remember that humans beings are fallible by design. Our imperfections mean we won't always say or do the right things at all times. People make mistakes, ourselves included and without acknowledging and accepting this, there is no progress to come. Forgiving yourself might be the most difficult of all but you will come to realise your flaws/ bad decisions are what made you the incredibly resilient, experienced and in effect wiser person you have grown to become.

Declutter: Rid yourself of everything that is weighing you down whether physically or mentally. Anything that gets in the way of self-love, personal growth, peace of mind or the like has got to GO! You cannot move forward with heavy weight holding you back. It could be a simple as throwing out clothes that don't match the person you want to be or even cutting your unhealthy damaged hair or lessening communication with toxic people. Start small and feel yourself become lighter as you enjoy more room for the new chapter.

Get To Know Yourself Better: Get a little more familiar with yourself; its the only way to work on who you want to become. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes can help you tailor your path more appropriately and making goals more realistic. You know what you are capable of more than anyone and therefore know what you will need to work  on. Become your own muse.

Upgrade & Improve: A new start is the perfect time for a little home improvement. As you let go of all the unwanted energy in your life challenge yourself to fill the void with a positive element. Learn a new language, take up yoga or meditation or even watch a few youtube videos to improve your skincare, hair or makeup routine. Do whatever you can to feel better about yourself either physically or mentally.

Organise & Prioritise:  As you embark on a new stage your goals will shift. Make daily to-do lists to work towards achieving them. I've found that writing things down always help me to keep track of the things I need to do. Purchasing a planner is really an investment. Change can be rewarding, as long as we put the work in and aim to make results deliberate.

Be Patient: Understand that everything is a process and you simply won't warm up right away to change. You will feel like giving up or desire to go back to your previous "comfort zone" but there is a reason you are no longer there. Give yourself time to adjust and realise there is a huge world out there waiting to be conquered. Whatever you've left behind is only a small portion of the big pie. Give it time.

I've realised that where you start sometimes has less of an impact than how you start. For 2017 I encourage you to be proactive about your happiness and your growth. Really take advantage of the opportunities that come your way and when none come, go find them. May blessings rain down on you and prosperity be everlastingly yours.