Easter.
What a beautiful time of year. To enjoy chocolates. To enjoy each others company. To stay indoors (let's be honest, we still need to self-isolate) and probably have a few punch ons with family members as you most likely have been in each other's pockets for three weeks straight already. This easter may be a bit different, but don't allow that to ruin this time of year. We all need some celebration and happiness in our lives so enjoy this weekend and move your Easter egg hunt into your house, keeping 1.5m distance between each easter egg of course (hello social distancing ;).
But in all honestly, Easter can be a time when our inner voice decides to lead the show. It can be a time where that voice continues to make you question every egg you put in your mouth, every step you take to the fridge and every decision you make in regards to chocolate and if you really need that last piece. This inner voice decides to become the star of the show but it's our choice to allow her to rise to this role or put her back as an extra and allow YOU to become the star. YOU to become the lead.
Don't allow that inner voice to take charge. Don't allow her to control you. Don't allow her to rule the show. YOU are in charge of your actions. YOU know what you want. YOU know what you need. If YOU want that last easter egg, go have it. If you want that last piece of chocolate, go have it. If you choose the chocolate hot cross bun over the traditional one GO YOU! This time doesn't come around often (once a year to be exact) so allow yourself to enjoy this moment and remove that guilt. It's the guilt that will do more damage to you than that last piece of chocolate will. It's the guilt that can lead you into a downward spiral, an unhappy state, agitated and not even enjoying the chocolate or treats. It's this guilt that has the power to kill us.
Remove it. Allow yourself to enjoy this time of year- especially at the moment with the world being in an uncertain time at the moment. Where we feel our freedom has been compromised and a lot of us have lost jobs or incomes. It has been a tough few months and no doubt it will continue to be tough, so allow yourself to create some sort of happiness and enjoy this weekend. Enjoy this holiday.
Yes. I know what you are thinking. Easier said than done. How do you expect me to just 'remove' the guilt when it continues to absorb me? When it continues to rule me? How? By facing it. By watching it arise. Confronting it. Listening to what it has to say and then getting rid of it. Allowing it to just drop off. Don't give it ammo. Don't give it fuel. Don't let it create a rat race in your head. Allow it to go as easily as it came. For some this is easy, for others it's merely impossible. But you need to continue to practise in order to see a difference.
If you find this doesn't work and the guilt stays, ask yourself what makes you happy? What usually brings a smile to your face and allows happiness in? Is it painting? Drawing? Baking? Dancing? Moving your body? If you feel the guilt swarming in, go do something that brings a smile to your face and gets you out of that funk. Pushes the guilt away and allows joy and happiness to enter. I LOVE to dance, or at the moment watch a few TikToks (I hate to admit it but yes, I did jump on that bandwagon and prank my mum...)
The trick is getting out of that headspace and allowing positivity in. Even looking at yourself in the mirror, smiling at her, appreciating the eyes staring back at you, the scars she may have, the barriers she's overcome, and accepting every bit of her. It may seem a tad crazy, but trust me it works. Until you totally accept yourself, you will constantly be at battle within yourself. In order to start accepting you need to change your attitude and start appreciating what's in front of you- and that means speaking lovingly to her and NOT ignoring her. So yes, go look her in the mirror and actually talk to her. If you feel crazy GOOD. But if you allow that inner voice to stop you from doing this due to the fear that you will be considered crazy, you've already given up. You've already allowed the guilt to take over and continue to numb your relationship with yourself. Would you ignore a new friend or a family member if they were feeling flat (ok maybe a family member if they were annoying you but you get the picture). Treat yourself like you would to another. Like you would to someone you loved. You are your OWN person so you deserve to be treated as an individual by YOU.
I found a quote the other day that I felt resonated with me on a deep level and wanted to share
Re-read that again. Let it sink in.
So yes, those extra pounds are the pieces of life that you live for. That brings you happiness. That brings you joy. That create the memories you NEVER want to forget. Those extra pounds may be from the chocolate YOU love, the cake that brings YOU joy or the wine that brings YOU warmth. Those extra pounds are what creates our favourite memories - the ones that bring a smile on your face. The ones that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
So this Easter, enjoy it. You deserve it. Remove the guilt. Allow yourself to just be. Enjoy the chocolate, enjoy the hot cross buns and remove the fear of putting on weight. It's these special times that create the best memories and allow us to continue living, continue thriving and continue connecting with others.
Now go enjoy that double choc chip hot cross bun, unless your more of a traditional girl that's totally your call (I'm defs the chocolate type ;)
And remember to just breathe. Go talk to yourself. Show yourself some love and affection and go enjoy that inside easter egg hunt.
I will leave you with this little video that I did the last easter - let's just say I smelt like chocolate for the rest of the week.
If you want a laugh, watch the full video.
With love,
Lauren Minicozzi xx