We all know we have improvements to make, habits to change, and lifestyles to level-up. The process can take months to years. And sometimes, especially if it’s a health problem, the process is never ending. When it comes to feeling joy and peace what matters the most is your mentality about your life. Specifically, your pride.
The more pride you have in your lifestyle the more you'll do to maintain it. If you're proud of your good credit score you'll make sure to pay off your credit card every month and pay your loans on time. If you're proud of the car you drive you're gonna make sure to get your oil changed. If you're proud to be a mother you're going to invest a good chunk of your time into your kid's development and well being so that way they grow up happy and healthy.
We take pride in what we love so if you feel you're lacking somewhere take a deep breath. It's okay to not be exactly where you want to be. But just because you don’t have your dream career/car/body/family/etc doesn’t mean you don’t still have things in your life to be proud of. Sit down with a pen and paper and genuinely think about your lifestyle. What would you say your pride and joys in life are? What do you boast about to friends and family? What makes you feel good when you wake up in the morning? You could have a long list or a short list. How do you feel about that? Do you wish it was longer? If you feel good great! I want to hear what y’all are proud about down below. If not, what are the steps you’re gonna take to change it? Progress takes time, so it's best to have started yesterday. The next best time is now.
We all have things we need to do better at, but the first step is to see what we find to be something we feel good about and to invest in it. Happiness doesn't only come at the end of our goals, but exists while we are working towards a better life, too. And if you’re lacking in self-worth, self-esteem, and generally feel ashamed about the lifestyle you have it’s good to remind yourself about things you’re proud of, that you feel you’re doing right, and are gonna help boost you up. Constant misery is a recipe for disaster to the point it literally attacks your immune system. Sometimes we as women forget that we don’t have to be miserable all the time. The world will demand we scrimp and sacrifice and be miserable, but we don’t have to listen to the world. 🫂
For me personally, I’m most proud of my house, my travels, and my gorgeous puppy dog. I LOVE pouring my time, energy, money, and affection into these areas of my life. They are my pride and joy. Am I fully where I want to be yet? No, but that doesn't mean I must delay my happiness and stop investing in the lifestyle that makes me happy. Being happy along the way makes life better all around.
Have you noticed how men really like to invest in their interest? I work with mostly males and over the years I noticed that men have no issue spending a whole bunch of money on things they take pride in.
Photography equipment, gaming computers, fishing equipment, camping and hiking gear, travel etc. They don't worry that they don't have newest model of pants, t-shirt and sunglasses. They easily eat toast with jam for months to savd up for the car they dream of. Even married me with children do it.
Women on the other hand are expected to spend their money on "prettyfying" their immediate environment. Buying gifts to others, making themselves desireable etc. When we are told "treat yourself, you work so hard" it usually means a new lipstick, spa day tops. But 3 weeks solo trip? Naahhhh, too much. 3k€ camera to make photos of your puppy? You crazy.
I always say "watch men and live like them".
It's very important to remind yourself of the good you do for yourself no matter how small. If you don't then it will be easy for a lv man to confuse you into thinking you have lv with put downs and gaslighting. The more aware you are of your accomplishments, the harder it is for lv men to succeed in negging their way into your life.