Like most of you I can't believe it's 2022 already.  I've never been huge on setting New Year's resolutions, it always seemed so daunting and unachievable to me. 

For most of my life I was successful. I have always managed, somehow, to find the right people, at the right place, at the right time. I guess you could say I was lucky because I had success, even though I was living life by default and not by design. 

I'm Jen Edwards fellow human, artist, education designer and lover of the beauty industry. I have educated salons in over 8 countries,  co-designed and written education for some of the top companies in my industry. I have worked with some of the most amazing editorial stylists who have a $5,000 dollar day rate and have worked behind the scenes on some of the most amazing shoots. I have assisted over 100 shows for New York Fashion Week and I have over 10,000 hours of delivering hair extension education.

Despite all that experience, I'm about to share some hard yet enlightening realizations I've had since the beginning of the pandemic. So if you choose to keep reading, buckle up, or If you decide to get off the ride here that's ok- no hard feelings!

"A-ha" moment number 1

Often when I reflect on my career I can't believe that was actually me. I'm like, "damn who is she? How did I make all that happen? I was a bad mother..."

WAIT....

Did you catch it?

The "Was" part.

It was that one simple word, I realized that subconsciously and now consciously, I had given up on me. Life had happened  between "is and was." Divorce, leaving the company I had spent a decade building, trying to find out who I was outside of my career, dealing with childhood trauma and then covid.. All that, lived between "is and was." 

"A-ha" moment number one - I forgot to dream.

I  was soooo "in the thick of it" that survival mode was activated. When survival mode is activated, thriving is a hard thing to do. At the end of the day we need a dream/goal to work towards.

Ask yourself:

• What experiences do you want to have in this lifetime?
• Who do I have to be in order to have these experiences?

 

"A-ha" moment number 2

For me personally, "a-ha moment number 2" was the biggest shocker and game changer. So here it is.

"A-ha" moment number two- I believed I wasn't worthy of having the life I wanted.

I began to realize this incredibly limiting belief as I noticed certain thought patterns and actions I had. Things like procrastination, small mindedness, watching too much tv, endlessly scrolling social media, scrutinizing others with wealth- these were all behaviors and thought patterns that were sabotaging the life I wanted to have but didn't feel I deserved.

Even the most successful people  on this planet have to deal with mental models that hold us back.

So Ask Yourself

• Do I have any limiting beliefs or behaviors that are keeping me from having the life I want?
• What empowering beliefs can I trade for my old limiting beliefs?

"A-ha" moment number 3

2020 was a total, rhymes with itch, of a year. I call it "the great divide." The whole world paused for a moment- life was on hold. The hustle and the bustle all came to an abrupt pause. It was in the "pause" I had my next "a-ha."

"A-ha" moment number 3- Happiness really is a choice."

It sure is. We've all heard it before, but for myself and others this was the moment to live it and embody it. I always say as soon as you say or declare you are working on changing a thought pattern or behavior-  the universe, god or whatever you would like to call "it" will serve you up the opportunity, to put your money where your mouth is.

2020 was that year. I went into complete lockdown mode for a year. There was no going out, seeing loved ones, no concerts, no art shows. It was work and home. It was during these times I forced myself to find happiness in each day. Happiness is a process it isn't a place. 

So try this:

• Start your day with gratitude, it's the first thing I do as soon as I open my eyes. I'm grateful for the gift of life. 
• When in sadness know that it's temporary and you'll be happy again
• When faced with difficult emotions or situations
• pause 
• contemplate
• pivot
• Be thankful for the little things their just as important as the bigger things.
• Adopt the attitude "by giving we receive"

For the first time in a very long time I gave myself permission to dream andlove myself.  I know that 2022 really will be that year for me! I hope it is for you too!

See ya on the Flip Side Kizzys,

XO-Jen