2021 has been a year, and honestly I have learnt about myself more this year than any other year. Maybe its because of the pandemic and I haven’t had anything else to do. Or whether this was just the year I was supposed to flourish and become who I am meant to be. From speaking to other people they have said the same thing. They have felt that this last 18 months have provided us some time to sit and reflect on life and who we are. And really I feel like thats what’s happened.
As many of you know, I started my fitness journey 6 months ago now. And really that has had the biggest impact on myself and how I see myself. It’s also helped me to become alot happier and content in my own circumstances. Not only am I healthier but my outlook and mental health has improved so much. Through this journey I have learnt so much about myself and really feel like I am on a path of self discovery.
I AM STRONGER THAN I THINK
Sometimes I have to remind myself that we have all gone through such a crazy 18 months with covid. A world-wide devastating pandemic that has changed how we live our lives drastically. If you would have told me what would happen with this pandemic and whether or not I would have been able to cope with it, honestly I would have said no. When I think back to how bad it was, I shock myself that I made it through. It was honestly so difficult, and I know it still is for alot of people too.
Being able to get through some of the hardest days has really made me stronger, and you too I am sure. As people we are so resilient and are able to adapt to changes so quickly. It might not be comfortable at first, but we can do it. And we have proved we can too.
Changing my life and becoming who I am meant to be has taught me how strong I can be when needed. I have learnt about myself that I can do whatever I put my mind to.
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PATIENCE IS A VERTUE
One thing I really struggle with is patience, and I really feel like God and life have been testing my patience recently. And by that I don’t mean that things have been annoying me. What I mean by that, is that I’ve had to be patient in many aspects of my life. I have been trying to move and find a home since the beginning of this year, and that hasn’t happened yet. I have been waiting on news about something really important, and I have been made to wait. All of these things come to test us. And honestly, it really has been.
When you’re on the edge of your seat waiting for news or something to happen it can be really tough. But, I have been learning about having joy in the waiting. Making the most of today, instead of waiting and focusing on the future.
Lets all learn to take everyday as they come.
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MY BEAUTY COMES FROM WITHIN FIRST
Being on my own body positivity and self love journey, I have really learnt that beauty and loving yourself should come from within first. Before I lost weight and now looking back, I really feel like I didn’t love myself for who I was. I was looking at myself as an exterior, and as I didn’t like what looked back at me it made it really hard for me to be content and happy in who I am.
Now I have such a different outlook on things. Beauty is from within, no matter what magazines and social media tell you. When you get old and your skin gets wrinkles and you don’t look as youthful and pretty as you did. Nobody will remember you for your good looks. They will remember you for who you are, and how you treated people. Nobody will talk about your body weight, or the unwanted hair you had. And really thinking about life like that, it really changed my own perspective.
Not only is this a message to myself, but a reminder to you too. Remember that when you feel down or bad about yourself. Nobody cares about what you look like. And you won’t be remembered for how you looked but who you are.
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I feel like I have learnt about myself so much in the last year. What have you learnt about yourself recently?
Olivia x
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olivialucieblake.com 
It has been a tough year and it’s great that you can find some positives and learnings! This year, I have learned that I can live with less and be happy. It’s very freeing to not be a slave to physical posessions.
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I love this Michelle, because I feel the same too. Before the pandemic I needed new things all of the time, I’d always waste money on buying food when I had it at home. I realised life isn’t just about ‘stuff’ is about those in it. Thanks for this reminder!
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I love this post! It has been a rough year and I’ve learnt a lot about myself. I won’t put up with things like I used to and life is too short, boundaries are important.
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I love this so much. Boundaries are something I have learnt about too!
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Beauty really does come from within! I used to think I would feel better about myself when I lost X amounts of weight but then I did, and I was still as sad I was – just weighed less, haha ! It took me working on myself and being intentional about learning to love myself that everything changed.
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Seriously though I can relate to that. I lost alot of weight years ago, and I thought I would be happier in myself but actually it was never enough. I never felt good about myself, because it wasn’t about how much I weighed. It was about who I was. So I can totally relate to that!
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Beautifully said, Olivia! I think we’re all a lot stronger than we think. We just never find out until we’re faced with a challenge (like Covid-19) or until we challenge ourselves.
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You’re so right!
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I 100% agree that beauty comes from within first. That’s really good that your fitness journey is helping many other areas of your life.
I’m still in the process of accepting myself as is.
This year, I learned that I overwork myself and my brain hurts 80% of the time 😂😭
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Hahaha brain ache is something I think alot of us deal with daily too!
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With all the bad that has happened through the pandemic I think it’s been a crucial time for reflection and getting to know ourselves more.. which I guess is something to be thankful for from the whole experience
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In a weird way, I am thankful for it. Of course the pandemic has been awful for so many people, and it has been hard. But I really think its been such a great reset for some of us. Just to take time to be still.
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I completely agree, if we can take a positive out of all of this then it gives a lot of hope for the future
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Oh this is absolutely relatable!
We learn things everyday and I think yeah.. I learnt a lot from the past two years! Some lessons that is gonna be with me throughout my life I believe!
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I believe so too! They are life long lessons
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Amazing post! This year was definitely trying for me too, breakdowns here and there but we did it! We’re in the 10th month and we haven’t given up yet so I’m proud of us!🤍🤍
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I know! I am proud of us too 🤎
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Oh and btw would you like to feature on my blog, for an interview 😊
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Sure! Send me an email – olivialucieblakeblog@hotmail.com
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I will! Thank youuu🤍
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It’s really something when the “simple” things to learn finally truly hit us! I have yet to learn the beauty from within part.
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Its something I have to keep learning about myself, its not easy at all. I still have my bad days
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that is such a lovely message aww thanks for sharing ❤ i really like that and it's true, noone will care other than what's inside
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Yep! Its cliche but the saying ‘It’s what’s inside that counts’ is so true
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Lovely post, well put! Nothing and no one can take anyway from who we are, unless we allow it.
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Thank you so much for reading!
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I would have to agree with you… 2021 is that year I got to find out more about myself. I think I did a lot more self reflections this year than I did in previous years. And this has helped me figure out who I really am and also helped me become totally comfortable with who I am as a person.
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Loved this post! And yes! Totally agree, especially beauty does come from within. You can be the most beautiful person In the world but if your heart is black- trust me people can see that, and you aren’t longer beautiful ♥️
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Patience is a virtue indeed🙏🏼💜
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Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m struggling with the body positivity right now because I’m pregnant, I actually shared about it on my blog today. I have to remind myself everyday that I am creating a miracle right now and my body has to change in order for the baby to grow but change is hard. Thank you so much for the reminder that beauty comes within.
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I have really learnt to work harder and help my parents…. because they also failed to get money to look after me and my other 5 siblings because they lost their jobs. But the most painful thing is that I will be unable to go back to school too😭😭 due to lack of school fees
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