Stop comparing yourself to others!

So, it’s been a while since my last blog post. But SOOOO much has happened since then! To start, my brother, sister-in-law and I opened a gym in our beautiful town! It’s been 12 years in the making, many late night discussions, produce cooler conversations and back of the ambulance brainstorming sessions(without a patient of course!) 
I also became a certified personal trainer and health coach, got a puppy, learned how to build a website, quit my full time job to help grow our business, was a vegan for 6 days, really began my own health and wellness journey (so far, I’ve lost 25lbs in 2.5 years!) AND ALL WHILE BEING A MAMA!!

Now to the meat and potatoes of this story! Or the kale and beans for all my vegan friends out there.
Your journey is just that, YOUR JOURNEY! What works for the woman next to you on the treadmill, may not work for you! So stop comparing yourself to others!! 
And how the heck do we do that?
Simple-ish. 

Look in the mirror every morning and smile. You are beautiful when you smile
This may be difficult or near impossible for some. We never feel good enough, unhappy with what we see or maybe we are totally stressed out by what’s currently going on in our lives, but if you’re taking the time to read this then I want you to start right now. SMILE!

Stop judging others! It breaks us down.
Unfortunately, It’s almost a natural thing to do these days. The next time we feel that judgmental part of our human ways peek from behind our shoulders, take a minute and find something positive to think about that person instead. And if you are an extroverted extrovert, maybe you can even let that person in on the positive you see in them! It might be a little awkward at first, but so was walking and you seemed to figure that out pretty alright.

Find something each day that you feel good about.
Even if that is simply brushing your teeth! It doesn’t have to be an amazing feat to be amazing to you!

Be grateful.
Take a moment to look around at all that you have.
Everything that you have and have accomplished (including still being alive) up to this very moment is worth being grateful for. Your life, your ability to read, the device you are reading this on, the roof over your head, the food that has so far nourished you this day. Anything! Just be grateful

And the biggie.

Stop caring about what others think!
I have a news flash for you. 
Most people don’t give a f*** what you do. Who you are. What you’re saying. Unless it directly effects them.
And those that do care, either love you or hate themselves and find it easier to judge you then take care of their own crap.
STOP WORRYING ABOUT THEM AND ENJOY BEING YOU! The wonderful, beautiful, strong, talented mom, dad, brother, sister, son, daughter, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, cousin that you are. 

Put a little confidence in your back pocket today. When you feel unsure, put your hand back there and know your journey is FUCKING FANTASTIC and I’m rooting for you!

In recap, you don’t have to aspire to be the person on the treadmill next to you or the woman with the super bouncy haircut and perfect outfit. And the mom who looks like she has it all together? (she doesn’t, not even close. We’re all just hanging on by one poopy diaper.)

None of us have it all together. We all struggle, we all fail. And hallelujah, we all get back up again.
So......Keep going! Your story is yours and it’s only written until this very moment.

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