I wish I had a pound for all the times I’ve been asked “What made you set up your blog?”. I’ve also had one or two who, with a raised eyebrow and a cynical sneer, ask “Why ‘Oh Fabulous Me’? Who do YOU think you are?”
I should start by saying this blog is a two-thought notion in an attempt to answer both questions: ‘Who do I think I am?’ and ‘Why set up a blog about it?’. Join me, as I delve into my thoughts, if only in a bid to explain…
Before I start, let’s clear up one thing: Oh Fabulous Me is not an egotistical statement. There, I said it. I’m glad that’s out there. I don’t waft around in floaty dresses with delusions of grandeur, gawping in mirrors, thinking: ‘I am oh, so fabulous’, on a daily basis…I only do that on Saturdays. No, I’m kidding! I really don’t take myself that seriously at all.
The truth is ‘Oh Fabulous Me’ was borne form the notion of me wanting to become the very best version of me. She is that person whom I aspire to be. The one I chase because all of her pieces have fallen into place. Oh Fabulous Me is the one who I am working hard towards becoming. She always seeks the beauty in all life has to offer. She is a confident, passionate, creative, kind, funny, balanced, stylish, healthy, energetic, inspirational, knowledge-craving individual who does her best to do it all!
In fact, she is all of the very best things which motivate me to change for the better while staying true to myself. Constantly redefining herself, in all honesty, I know by the time I actually reach her, she will have evolved into yet another, even more splendid version for me to aspire to be!
It’s not just a ‘female thing’ either.
Over the years, society would have us believe that this is just a ‘female thing’ because women are ‘emotional’. Or it’s an age related way of thinking. But, in all honesty, it has very little to do with gender, age, race, religion… the list goes on. It has everything to do with an individuals deep desire to be the very best version of themselves – at whatever stage in life they may currently be at. So, if you’re a rainbow-coloured octogenarian from the outer rings of Saturn, perhaps you too may feel the need to be a better you.
Being openly inspirational.
I remember feeling enlightened on hearing Matthew McConaughey’s 2014 Oscar speech. While he was thanking everyone, as is customary to do so on such occasions, he said:
“ And to my hero, that’s who I chase. Now when I was 15 years old, I have a very important person in my life come to me and say, “Who is your hero?”. And I said I don’t know I gotta think about that, give me a couple of weeks. I come back two weeks later, this person comes up and says “Who’s your hero?” And so I thought about it and I said you know who it is, it’s me in 10 years.
So I turn 25. 10 years later that same person comes to me and goes “so are you a hero?” And I was like, not even close. No, no, no. She said “Why?” I said because my hero is me at 35.
So you see every day, every week, every month and every year of my life, my hero is always 10 years away. I’m never going to beat my hero. I’m not going to obtain that, I know I’m not. And that’s just fine with me because that keeps me with somebody to keep on chasing.”
Revelation!
So this desire for self-improvement clearly isn’t just a ‘female condition’ – as too many male ‘journalists’ would lead us to believe. If the super successful and talented Mr McConaughey is anything to go by, there’s no difference in the way the sexes think. Even confident men feel the same as ‘emotional thinking’ women. Quelle Surprise! Or not.
Not so very long ago this notion of ‘self-love’ used to be almost frowned upon and deemed a selfish pursuit. However, I think there’s been a huge shift in recent years, instigated by those of us who believe if we wish to improve our world, and that of others, we must first start with improving ourselves. And we’re speaking up about it. It’s not just famous Hollywood actors with their platform. You only have to look at social media to see evidence of this.
That brings me to the second notion: Why put all this into a blog?
The simple answer is because I was asked to write a blog of my experiences by many of my friends. The thing is I’ve had a lot of funny (and some not so funny) things happen to me. I seem to attract oddness! I don’t go out actively seeking it, it just seems to find me! My friends have always found this hilarious. Believe me, you wouldn’t believe some of the tales I could tell!
Also, I’ve been interested in health and exercise for many years, pursuing so many different exercises/diets in a bid to improve my wellbeing. In doing so, I have acquired vast experience and knowledge of health, wellbeing and fitness. As I naturally possess an inquisitive mind, this experience has even spurred me on to study Advanced Sports and Exercise Nutrition in a bid to solidify my knowledge and boost my brain.
Collectively, my friends thought my life’s journeys and the knowledge I have gained along the way, could be of interest to others. Something where others may find some useful little pearl of wisdom, to which they may find some inspiration. Perhaps enough to trigger off their own self development.
Even the smallest of steps make a big difference.
A very common thread with many of those who – once they have understood the actual concept of this blog – is they all admit to wanting to make a change of some sort to their own lives. But feel clueless where to start. Whether it’s to improve their diet, fitness, work/life balance, finances – or all of the above. Whatever it is, they feel the desire to do ‘something’. But are unsure which steps to take first. And how they fear those first steps! Well, they are the most scary, I guess.
One of the lessons I have learned along the way, and which I tell myself (and my children) in moments where I may be afraid to do something is: don’t be afraid of the fear. That fear you feel; the nervous feeling in the pit of your stomach, it’s all completely natural. It’s only your body producing adrenaline and preparing you to do something extraordinary. Embrace it. Use it.
What works for one…
When I decided to change my lifestyle and eating habits, I found it helped to not act and think in an ‘all or nothing’ way. This was rather tricky for me because thats the sort of person I was. I discovered if you try to make all the changes at once you’re more likely to fail. It’s far easier to make those changes one at a time. For example, I might drink more water for a week, then the following week add more vegetables to my diet. One step at a time. For me, success seems more attainable that way.
I also try to listen to myself and to my body. If something isn’t working for me then it’s of no use – time to ditch it and try something else.
But we’re all different.
What works for one may not work for another. I hope that the contents of this website may give you some ideas, inspiration or even a bit of motivation to help you in your pursuit of being the best version of you.
If you’re taking that first step to being a better you, give yourself a pat on the back! But don’t forget to share your journey with us here at Oh fabulous me. We’d love to hear about it. This is your community after all…
You can also check out our social media pages for further inspiration.
Good luck and go for it – I believe in you!
C♥︎
#OhFabulousMe
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