Monday Motivation

Happy Monday Lovers!

So a few months ago there was this photo that was all over the internet and newspapers about this lovely and cute little old lady simply living in the moment at a film premier in the States.

Image sourced form Google.com

The world became obsessed (for a short while) with the fact that while all the other people in the photo were busy capturing the moment on the smart phones, this little old lady didn’t give a rats arse about taking photos at all because she was more than happy capturing everything she needed at that time with her eyes.

Today we have become so obsessed with taking instant pictures and sharing them with the world that we have forgotten that sometimes an image simply can't do any justice to what is happening right in front of us.

Some moments aren’t meant to be captured by a smartphone camera or even an SLR. Some moments are meant to be lived so that you can feel whatever it is that you are supposed to feel in that moment and take it with you.

Image sourced from Pinterest.com

This week instead of whipping out your phone when you see something amazing, take the time to enjoy it and observe how it make you feel.

But if you happen to bump into say… Beyoncé or your ultimate idol this week then I think it’s safe to say that you need to make sure you snap that shit as we will all want proof of that moment!

Have a great week y’all!

Love Sara. xxx

Monday Motivation

Image sourced from www.pinterest.com 

Answer: Every-bloody-thing!

For some people failure simply isn’t an option and while I think it’s important to succeed in whatever we do, a lot of success doesn’t come without a lot of failure.

Failing, or not getting things right first time round is how we learn. It’s also what makes success and victory taste even sweeter.

I once read a quote (because we all know how much I love a good quote) that said;

“If success was always instant and easy, Everyone would be successful, and there would be no pride in achievement. ” – Patrick McCormick

This is so true, because things that are worth a lot don’t come easy. Think about you most important relationships in life, they are what they are because of the work that goes into them and the mistakes that all parties involved have made along the way, that important lessons we learned from; Think about when you were at school, college, uni or even work, at some point there would’ve been an essay, test, assignment or project that you may have not performed the way you wanted to, but think about what you learned from that helped you succeed next time round and the time after that.

Life is too short to try and avoid making mistakes or failing. I say we all let go and face the facts that we can’t always get it right and by doing just that... one day we will realise that we got everything right, even the mistakes and those bloody failures too, because everything will always turn out exactly the way it’s supposed to be.

Have a great week love bugs.

Love Sara. xxx

Monday Motivation

Image sourced from www.mermagblog.com

Hey there Lovebugs!

I hope you all had a fab weekend and are looking forward to the week ahead.

Question - Does your mind ever run a thousand miles an hour generating idea after idea of the things you want to do, have or be? Well mine does and because of this one of the many things that I have managed learn about myself is that I have a very overactive imagination!

Don’t get me wrong this has its advantages, as it keeps me on my toes, but sometimes I get so caught up in it all and that I accidentally exhaust myself mentally, physically and emotionally.

There is nothing wrong with being ambitious, driven, determined and all that good stuff, but it’s important to remember that ‘You can do anything, but not everything’ .

This quote regularly keeps me in check as it’s a reminded of my talents and what I am capable of, but it also encourages me to prioritise by what I want the most and what is realistic, to what I can take on at the time.  

So if you find yourself overwhelmed with amazing ideas or even by the request of others, take a moment stop and remind yourself that you are more capable of anything but that doesn’t mean that you should burn yourself out trying to achieve it all at once.

Take your time with what’s most important to you and have a great week me darlings!

Love Sara. xxx

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday Lovers!

I’ve always had this tendency to construct master plans for life which more recently is something that I’ve been working my arse off to move away from.

Having a plan for anything is a good thing, however it can also be devastating when your plans don’t seem to work out the way you expected and also can stop you from living in the moment.

But here’s what I’ve learned about making plans in life and for life; Things ALWAYS work out just the way that are supposed to even if it’s the complete opposite of what you planned.

So when you have days or moments where things don’t seem to be going your way, just take a deep breath and roll with it, accept it for what is, make good decisions, embrace it and learn from it. 

Image sourced from pinterest.com

Remember that things always unfold just the way they are supposed to, so if you’re wondering why you haven’t had that promotion or why you haven’t met the guy of your dreams despite your detailed master plan, it’s just because there is a bigger and better plan for you in the works and if you stay open and positive, when the time is right things will be exactly the way they were always supposed to be and all the things you considered to have gone wrong, will suddenly feel like things that went right.

Have a great week amigos!   

Do More of What Makes You Happy

From the age of around 14 to 21 I had that hobby that without realising became my life, called dance.

Growing up in the 90’s and 00’s where R&B lived before it died, I spent a lot of time tuned into The Box music channel and MTV BASE trying to learn the routines to any Aaliyah or Ginuwine, Missy Elliot, Mya music videos. (For all of you noughties kids, sorry but you missed out!)

Images sourced via Google

Anywho through a friend I came across a local street dance group which I joined and before I knew it that was all I cared about. I was part of this dance group for around 6 years which have honestly been some of the best years of my life! Not only had I found a passion that I loved but this was where I also met some of my best friends who over the years have become family.

Overtime naturally things changed and the passion and dreams that I had of becoming a professional dancer (Beyonces backing dancer to be specific) seemed to start to disappear, which resulted in my dancing hobby that I had once loved so much coming to an end until now.

When I first arrived in Portugal I had so much time on my hands I became really overwhelmed with the thought of what I would do with it! So one day after a skype chat with my bestie she suggested I find a good dance school. Coincidently a couple weeks before I’d met a really friendly girl who’d told me about a dance school called Jazzy, so I decided to check it out.

Now I’ve been to a few dance studios over the years but this one has to be my favourite by far! Not only are their facilities top notch, the vibe is really nice. Some studios attract dancers with a competitive edge and serious egos which are really off putting when you’re just there to dance and enjoy, however I am yet to experience any of that at Jazzy!

They have an amazing and diverse selection of classes and the teachers are brilliant and super friendly which is a plus when you rock up to a class solo with limited language skills.

After my first class I was hooked! I’m not going to lie, I was a bit rusty as let’s be real, it’s been a while since I’ve had to learn a routine. But I’m pretty impressed with how fast I managed to get back into it all.

In the space of a month I’ve gone from having a 1 day a week membership to having a 2 day a week membership and if I’m honest my dancing feet are two stepping towards and unlimited pass! I had no idea how much I missed this part of my life until after that first class. Since joining Jazzy I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone and I no longer stand at the back of the class out of sight in case I get the steps wrong! I have tried different styles of dance like Afro Tribal, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Pop dance, Kuduro and my favourite Dancehall with Souljah Fighters WWHHOOOYYYY!     

2 out of 3 Souljah Fighters

(Yes those are sweat patches you can see! I work hard in those classes!)

For me, dancing is a form of therapy as well as a way to explore and express other parts of my feelings and personality. I’ve had days when I’ve entered the dance studio feeling defeated by the world and its bullshit but yet I always leave the feeling notorious and ready to face whatever is thrown in my path.

As we get older and gain more and more responsibilities we tend to have less time for some the things that once made us happy. Most of us are of an age now where our priorities in life have changed and yes sometimes that means sacrificing hobbies for other things that make us happy like, love, children, family or career goals, but as important as all of those things are, making sure you make time for that special hobby that understands you like no other hobby or living person can is equally as important.

We share so many other aspects of our lives with others, sometimes it’s important to be a little selfish and have something that is just ours, where we can switch off and have a different kind of focus.
Having a hobby no matter how big or small is great way to be able to recharge your energy for the other areas of your life that demand more of you.

Reconnect with old hobbies or even find new ones that will give you some time out from your day to day reality. It could be anything from going for a run, starting a new class or even teaching new class. Whatever your hobby of choice may be, make time and go for it! You never know, it may even inspire you beyond your wildest dreams.

Before you go check out this amazing tribute video to the Missy Elliot who owned the late 90’s and 00’s era with her creative sound and choreography and inspired countless dance crews across the world to turn their dance hobby into something so much more! (And also helped Adidas make a killing!)

Enjoy :) 

Love Sara

                

I Get By With A Little Help From Yoga

Yoga was always something that I’d always wanted to do however my initial reason for trying it out over 10 years ago at the infamous Pineapple Studios are very different to the reasons why I love it today.

Despite the relaxing effect it had on me and my friend in that studio all those years ago (we fell asleep!), I never quite cottoned on to the power and empowerment of yoga, I just saw it as something that was good for me to do during my days as a dancer to help keep me limber and strong, which is probably why I never kept it up as I completely missed the point of what yoga is really about.

However over the past few years I have found myself questioning so many different aspects of life and paying a lot more attention to the way I respond to life. So as a way of exploring this and finding balance and inner peace, in January 2014 as one of my new year’s resolutions I vowed to start my yoga journey and it all began with a £5 class which I had no idea would eventually play such a huge role of support in my life.  

Sadly only after a few weeks the class was cancelled and for a while I tried out a few other classes but I never quite connected the way that I did with my first instructor.

By the summer I felt like I had started to fall apart as my tank was on empty and I needed to slow down and as a result of overworking and neglecting myself in more ways than one I began to experience a lot of anxiety. I knew that what I was experiencing was simply a mind over matter situation and I was determined to restore myself in a holistic way. So I contacted my instructor and gave her the rundown on what was happening and booked myself in for a private session, but before diving straight in for a yoga session we agreed that I we would have a Reiki session that would help to understand where my issues were coming from and what areas we needed to focus on. This was and still is the most powerful spiritual healing experience I have ever had. It was the first time in what had felt like months that my mind found peace, even if it was only for a few seconds at a time because let me tell you, those few seconds felt like heaven (or at least what I imagine heaven would feel like.)

These sessions were the start of gaining back my control, managing and understanding my mind and emotions at a deeper level. Since then I have continued with my yoga and meditation practice and have had some really great experiences. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been to some yoga classes where I’ve left and at the end said to myself “what the fuck was that all about”, and I’ve been to some where my body has had a better work out than my mind and spirit, but I’ve also been to classes that have left me in tears, or have unblocked whatever may have been preventing me from feeling grateful, happy, loved or free. My latest experience involved being turned on during a session!! Which I assure you, was as much as a surprise to me as  I think may be to you! The instructor did have on some insanely little tight shorts and he did also had a beautiful voice, but after having a quick chat with my instructor back home she assured me that it was completely normal and that he (the instructor) clearly acted as catalyst for whatever was going on in my body. (Horny hormones! HA!! Can’t believe I just wrote that!) Lol, no seriously yoga has all kinds of ways of awakening your subconscious feelings, energies and emotions. Especially at times when you least expect it, you can experience all kinds of emotions.

Yoga isn’t for everyone but for me it one of my top wellbeing activities that keeps me centred and grounded in this crazy western world. Since moving to Lisbon I’ve been exploring different classes to find my right match while I’m here which I think may have finally found. What makes it even sweeter is that it’s outdoors and it's free!

If you’re in Lisbon and would love to do some yoga check out the video below!

Or if you’re at home and don’t have the time to get to a class but really want to have some kickass guided practice, check out Yoga with Adrienne! She is amazing and I regularly do her sessions via YouTube. She’s fun as has a great way of making you feel at ease with whatever level of yoga you’re at. She also has a great 30 Daysof Yoga programme which I’ve found as great way to start the day.

Follow @yogawithadriene

Enjoy and  feel free to share any yoga stories or tips!

Love Sara. xx

Heeding The Signs

Hello there love bugs!

I hope you’re all well and happy?

It has been a long time since I have posted anything on here and my, my, my, has a lot changed since my last post on 29 November 2014! (What a shameful time gap!)

If you are a regular reader of For The Love of Moi, you would’ve noticed that in the posts leading up to the last one in November last year, FTLOM took a turn in the type of content that was being shared. I assure you that this was not planned but was merely a reflection of what was going on in my life at that time.

So to give you the short version, here’s the skinny on what led to the changes in the content and my life.

Now as some of you may remember in 2013 I managed to get the job of my dreams that I had been working so hard for! Don’t get me wrong it was no high flying job with the salary to match, but was that foot in the door that I had wanted and was enough for me. However the more involved I became in my job the more my body was trying to tell me to slow down, but as much as I was learning about heeding the signs of life, I sure as hell wasn’t heeding these signs until one day at our busiest time of the year on my way to work I was involved in a car crash which should have been more than enough to make me or anyone for that matter stop and say, “Ok universe, I’ve heard you loud and clear! From this day forth I vow to put my health first”, but no that wasn’t enough for little ol’ me now was it, as the very next day I was back at my laptop, (even if it was from my living room whilst propped up by ever cushion in the room.)

It wasn’t until I had a full blown panic attack in the canteen whilst at work with embarrassing visions flashing through my mind of being airlifted out of the campus and taken to the nearest hospital that I realised that I was suffering from anxiety which the doctors failed to pick up on when I told them I was having breathing problems to which their solution was to put me on steroid based medication!!!

So after going back to the doctor and telling them that the problem was not asthma, but was in fact anxiety (imagine having to tell your doctor what they should have told you! A rant for another day) they told me the best thing anyone could have ever told me at that stage of my anxiety, even if it wasn’t what I wanted to hear … which went something like this; ‘Sara, you have two options, you can either find a way of coping or you can find a new job’!

Fast forward one year and this is where I’m at; I worked through a lot of my anxiety with the support of my family, friends, colleagues who have become friends and an amazing yoga teacher and realised that there were a lot of things that needed to change in my life which started with the way that I was treating myself and the way that I approached life.

I found ways of managing my workload as well as more time for myself, I realised that there were other factors that contributed to my anxiety which I am still learning how to deal with, but the most important thing that I have learned so far, is the importance of the connection with myself which I somehow managed to lose along the way. However since this realisation I have managed to restore and continue to build this connection every single day, and yes, even on the shit days, because we all have them no matter how zen we deem ourselves to be.

As for the job, I called it a day and followed my heart to rekindle an old flame. I packed my bags, left on jet plane and to be honest, I’m not too sure when I’ll be back again!

But in mean time I plan to keep sharing my experiences and discoveries with you all, which will include the good, the bad and the hella ugly, as I know I’m not alone on this amazing rollercoaster we call life and what’s an experience if you’re not able to share it? Even if it’s only through a blog.

Love Sara. xxx