You are your own permission slip!

Welcome back! Today I want to talk about how important it is to be your own permission slip! If you want to do something, if you want to go somewhere and be something then go and do it! Don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way! Make that change today!Don’t hold back or change because of what you think someone expects of you or because that is what you’re inner critic is telling you! You can’t draw, you’re rubbish! Says who? Go and draw that masterpiece! You can’t write, no one will be interested in it! Think again! Go and do whatever it is that you want to do! Live your life however you want to live it!!! Just because you’re different to someone else don’t let that stop you, embrace it!

On that note I would like to share with you what I have been working on! I have started writing the odd poem just for me as a way to use some of my creativity, deal with my thoughts and emotions, making them more tangible rather than just as lots of mixed up thoughts in your head. I decided to share some on Instagram and I will share them here too. Let me know if you like them and let me know what you are doing or what you want to do.

Stronger!!

Feel free to comment below with any thoughts and to follow us on our social media pages. Our details are below:-

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/gpdesignblog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlpowerdesignblog/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/GirlPowerDesign/?ref=bookmarks

Stop caring about what people think!

Hello, welcome back! I hope you’re all well! I’m currently on holiday but thought I would check in with you as I sit here looking out to sea!

Today I want to talk about being free to be authentically you! Stop caring what people think and do what you want to do! If you want to colour your hair pink then go for it! If you want to wear a colourful outfit then wear it! Have the confidence to be you! It doesn’t matter if everyone is doing the same, stop following the trend and start setting it! I’m not just talking about fashion or hairstyles but even with what you want to do, where you want to go, what you want to see! It’s okay to be different and do you because guess what we’re all different anyway! You were born to be you! So don’t waste it by pretending to be someone else!

Then when you have the confidence to be you stop judging others for being them! If they want the pink hair, the colourful outfit or whatever even if that isn’t your style, embrace it! Say well done gal for being you!

Stop judging people because they aren’t the same as you! How boring would the world be if we all did the same, if we all wore the same clothes, went the same places and did the same things! I don’t know about you but I would have rather someone was original than if they copied me!

It really annoys me when I hear girls criticising each other, look at what she’s wearing, why she doing that, I would never wear that, go there or do that! So what we’re all different people aren’t better or worse for being different so let it go and be you!!!

Feel free to comment below with any thoughts and to follow us on our social media pages. Our details are below:-

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/gpdesignblog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlpowerdesignblog/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/GirlPowerDesign/?ref=bookmarks

Girl power design book July’s Book club choices

Hello, welcome back! I hope you’re all doing well! As some of you may know from my earlier post I’m taking a bit of a break this month. I would urge you to look at your calendar and do the same, cut back on some things for a month to refresh and regroup. Summer is a great time for this! For example ditch the gym and get outside, make self care more of a priority etc. It’s important to mix things up and give yourself a break. You can always go back to things. Okay enough of that onto today’s post!

The books for July’s book club are:

1) Rise Sister Rise by Rebecca Campbell

This is another book by Rebecca Campbell who featured on June’s Book Club! Rise Sister Rise is about embracing your true femininity in times where it’s no longer a man’s world. This book looks really interesting looking at self care and spirituality!

2) Like She Owns the Place by Cara Alwill Leyba

In this book Cara talks about how she achieved her own confidence and how you can do the same. She touches on topics such as how to trust yourself to know what is best for you and to look at what truly matters and not things like how skinny you are etc.

I can’t wait to read both of these books!! Please let me know how you get on! Don’t forget I will be reviewing these books at the end of the month and may look to include comments so let me know what you think! Feel free to comment below with any thoughts and to follow us on our social media pages. Our details are below:-

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/gpdesignblog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlpowerdesignblog/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/GirlPowerDesign/?ref=bookmarks

The importance of Play!!

Hello! Welcome back, today I want to talk about the importance of play! How often do we take time to play! As children all you want to do is get outside as much as you can and play with a ball, run around, go on your bike or scooter etc. Everything is a game even doing jobs, I used to help tidy up pretending I was cleaning for my hotel!

You may think I’m an adult now I don’t need time for play! I’m busy working, doing my side hustle, looking after children, pets etc I don’t have time for it! Well I’m here to tell you that play is crucial no matter what age you are! So get out there and play!

Here are some things you could do:

1) Go for a run or a walk and make it fun!

2) Go on a bike ride;

3) Play a team sport;

4) Laugh and be silly as much as you can!

5) Watch a funny programme or film;

6) Day dream;

7) Go on a road trip;

8) Have a picnic;

9) Draw/colour/paint;

10) Write something for you;

11) Practice handstands;

12) Dance;

13) Sing;

14) Go to a class to learn how to cook or act or whatever you choose;

15) Look at the clouds and think about what you can see! Does one look like an animal or another object?;

16) Go to the beach or the park;

17) Start collecting things just for the fun of it! Crystals, ornaments, jewellery etc whatever you chose;

18) Use your imagination as much as you can;

19) Go to a friend’s house; and

20) Anything you can think of which you think sounds fun!

Let me know how you get on!

Feel free to comment below and to follow us on our social media pages. Our details are below:-

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/gpdesignblog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlpowerdesignblog/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/GirlPowerDesign/?ref=bookmarks

Dream Big!

Today I really want to talk to you about the power of dreaming big! Don’t limit your dreams or stop yourself from doing something you really want to do! Just get out there and do it!

If you don’t know what you want then grab a pen and your journal and sit looking at each area of your life: career, home, travel, relationships etc. Have a think what I am grateful for and what do I still want to achieve.

In order to dream big you need to have a mindset for success! Read below on what to do to create your very own mindset for success:

1)Change negative to positive thoughts and throw away negative ones:

Whenever your mean girl starts to show up saying things like: I can’t do this, I’m not good enough etc. Imagine screwing up that thought as if it was a piece of paper and put it in the bin. Then replace that thought with another so I can do this, I am good enough etc. It takes time and I’m still working on it but give it a go!

2) Repeat powerful affirmations to yourself whenever you need to:

If you need ideas on what to say check out my post on the power of affirmations! Mine is I can and I will watch me!!

3) Play your power songs!

It could be absolutely anything that makes you feel good! You all know from my post on this that I love “This is Me” from the Greatest Showman! Yours could be Eye of the Tiger or Power by Little Mix. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as it makes you feel great!!

4) Guided visualisations

These are really powerful as you can create a movie in your mind of what you want to achieve! Athletes and lots of famous people are known for doing this so it must work! Why not give it a try! Simply go onto google or YouTube and lots will come up! I would recommend Melissa Ambrosini’s and Carrie Green’s. I also love motivational videos so maybe check some of those out too! I will be doing a post soon listing my favourite ones!

I hope you found some of these tips useful! Let me know what you think and what you’re going to dream big about!

Feel free to comment below and to follow us on our social media pages. Our details are below:-

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/gpdesignblog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlpowerdesignblog/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/GirlPowerDesign/?ref=bookmarks

Give yourself a break!!

Hello, welcome back! I hope you’re all doing well! Today I want to talk about something really important, I want to let you all know that it is okay to take a break and have some time for yourself!! It doesn’t have to be go, go, go all the time!

You don’t have to say yes when someone asks you to do something and you don’t have to do everything at once!

Set some boundaries and communicate clearly what you want! Take the time you need for yourself! You can’t be there for others if you don’t!

I know you may be thinking it’s Thursday where is the Girl Power Boss post. Well I have decided to be the example and take a break from that feature for this month and create more space for other posts this month. I’m going on holiday later this month and I need to take some time to chill! So I’m being more relaxed about what I’m posting and spending more time reading, journaling, going on walks and focusing on me!

Girl Power Boss posts will return in August! I have some awesome ladies lined up for you!

If you think you would make a great Girl Power Boss then please email girlpowerdesignblog@gmail.com.

Feel free to comment below and to follow us on our social media pages. Our details are below:-

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/gpdesignblog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlpowerdesignblog/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/GirlPowerDesign/?ref=bookmarks

Girl Power Design Book Club Review -June:

Welcome back! Today I have a very exciting post! I’m going to talk about the books we have been reading for this month’s book club! Please comment below with your thoughts and comments on the books I would love to hear from you.

She Means Business by Carrie Green:

This is a book for women who are entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to achieve their dreams. Carrie shares her business and mindset tips which helped get her to exactly where she wanted to be.

Girl Power Design Review:

I loved this book! I thought it was really inspirational and insightful! Carrie motivates you to start living the life you want and to dream big! She explains how she got started from doing a law degree, to having a phone unlocking business before creating the amazing Female Entrepreneur Association! She gives you small achievable tasks to create your own mindset for success! It’s not all about creating your own business you could use the tips even if you’re not self employed.

How many stars: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Earth Is Hiring by Peta Kelly

Peta looks at the new way of doing things the millennial way in this book. She looks at what we can do to make the world a better place and use our creative talents to do so.

Girl Power Design Review:

I have to be honest I was a little bit disappointed by this book! It started off really well but I found myself losing interest as the book went on. There are some really important topics discussed in this book such as how we can do more for the planet, how important Mother Earth is, guidance for entrepreneurs, money mindset and creating your own scripts for success! I feel like too much was tried to put into one book and I would have liked some of the chapters to have been shorter or more direct as I found myself getting a bit lost in what was said. This is just my opinion and it may just be that this wasn’t the right time for me to read it. I have heard Peta Kelly speak on few podcasts and she was very inspiring. If you have read this book I would love to hear your opinion.

How many stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️

Light Is The New Black by Rebecca Campbell

This is probably one of the most spiritual books on the list. It looks at how you should follow and listen to your soul callings and do what lights you up!

Girl Power Design Review:

I loved this book and I know many of you did too! It gave me goosebumps and made me cry! The message really hit home! Do what you love to do, what lights you up and by doing this alone you will help raise the vibrations of the earth. This is definitely for the more spiritual women out there if you’re not very spiritual and you think everything spiritual is very woo woo, then this may not be for you. I thought it was amazing though and couldn’t put it down! Rebecca puts lots of mantras, poems and questions we can ask ourselves throughout this book which really helps to keep you engaged.

How many stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Little Black Book by Otega Uwagba

This book is a toolkit for working women everywhere with practical advice tips and much more.

Girl Power Design Review:

This was another book which was a little bit disappointing! I heard lots of good things about it, while it is okay and has some useful points it didn’t blow me away. It has some good tips for women in business but it was a little bit too basic for me. If you’re new to the work place this could be a good one for you.

How many stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gayle Honeyman

This is the only fictional book on the list this month. It looks at the life of Eleanor Oliphant who leads a very simple life and looks at the struggles she faces with mental health problems and connecting with the people around her. It shows is the importance of taking the time to look after ourselves.

Girl Power Design Review:

This was a brilliant book which I couldn’t put down! It took me a while to settle into the story and connect with the main character but then I was away and needed to know more. Would definitely recommend this book!

How many stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Let me know your thoughts on these books! I hope you have enjoyed reading them! I think overall they have been really good and there was a nice mix of topics. Let me know if you have any suggestions for July’s book club!

Feel free to comment below and to follow us on our social media pages. Our details are below:-

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/gpdesignblog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlpowerdesignblog/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/GirlPowerDesign/?ref=bookmarks

Girl Power Boss: Leah Roset

Hello, welcome back! I’m so excited to share with you another Girl Power Boss post! I don’t know about you but I find these posts so inspiring! Okay let’s dig in and find out more about the lovely Leah!

Please tell me a little about you:

I live in Plymouth, Minnesota. I studied psychology and sociology of law, crime, and deviance at the University of Minnesota. I started as an art major, and switched to a minor, as my dad had told me I wouldn’t make any money in art. I am working as an Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services worker at the moment, and have held similar positions since graduation (4 years ago). I have continued creating art, and even selling here and there. However, now there is more momentum behind my side hustle – my boyfriend and I met and joined forces to create SpeeLee Studios (SpeeLeeStudios.com). So now he is trying to get more photography gigs and I am trying to make/sell paintings. We sometimes work in tandem as well, collaborating on these projects.

Please tell me what a day in your life looks like?

I am an adult rehabilitative mental health services worker. When I am less swamped at work, I wake up early, stretch, do yoga, make blended matcha green tea, and get ready at a relaxed pace. I may write about my dreams, stream of consciousness, and/or intentions for the day, or work on a sketch. When I am swamped at work, I start writing progress notes, assessments, making phone calls to confirm appointments with inconsistent clients, etc. Oh and, my two dogs are a big part of my mornings as well! feeding, taking them outside, etc. Then I meet with 2-3 clients (they need to have a Severe and Persistent Mental Illness diagnosis). We focus on skill building, and work on goals in their individual treatment plans. My meetings can range from productive and enjoyable to chaotic and requiring some major self-care afterward. When I get home, my boyfriend or I make dinner. We sometimes paint in the garage, and I work on drawings when I can. Sometimes I go to the gym as well, and other times we watch some television.

What advice would you have for women reading this who are not happy with what they are doing?

There are so so many things I could say and directions one could take to approach being unhappy with what they’re doing. I would use motivational interviewing to prompt her to assess why she is still doing it – pros and cons list, for example. I would investigate what her dream job is, and why she isn’t pursuing it. I would use motivational interviewing to prompt her to assess why it can’t be her reality. I would tell her that not one way fits all. I would not tell her to do what I think she should do. It is all about guiding someone in coming up with those reasons, motivations, and goals themselves. Sometimes we make a lot of grey area for things that are more black and white. Sometimes we don’t see our dreams as a reality and self-sabotage. But truthfully, if you zero in on what you want, make no excuses, and go for it, it will work out! You may even be led down a different path than originally intended, and end up finding your true passion somewhere unexpected 🙂

What hobbies or practices do you do to stay relaxed and creative?

I draw, pain and listen to music. I use self-care strategies, such as taking an epsom salt bath or getting a massage. I pray. I stretch. I sometimes run, and I sometimes tune out watching Friday Night Lights on Netflix. Also, some people think I’m crazy, but cleaning can really get me into a flow state as well. Putting on some music, cleaning, and then cooking are some of my favorite things to do in sequence, like I’m preparing the area for something. Being intentional. Making an event of something simple to make it more fun and enjoyable. Who wants to cook around dirty dishes and countertops? Ick.

What project are you working on at the moment?

Right now, I have two commissioned acrylic pour paintings to create. I also am working on a drawing of my dog’s head on a cow’s body, because she makes a loud “mooing” noise at times 🙂. I have two unfinished paintings I need to tackle as well.

How to get in touch

I am always looking for ways to promote what we do at Speelee Studios (www.speeleestudios.com), so if you are interested you can check out the website (needs an update) or Facebook page, and/or find me at leahhjoo on Instagram.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us Leah! I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did.

Do you think you would be a great Girl Power Boss? If so please get in touch by emailing: Girlpowerdesignblog@gmail.com for a chance to be featured.

Feel free to comment below and to follow us on our social media pages. Our details are below:-

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/gpdesignblog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlpowerdesignblog/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/GirlPowerDesign/?ref=bookmarks

This is me!!

Who here has seen the Greatest Showman? If you haven’t seen it then you must go and watch it! I love it! It’s such a good film about a man called Phineas Taylor Barnum who wants to make something of himself. He comes from a poor background, falls in love with a girl called Charity Hallett, who is from a rick background and so he tries to prove himself to her. They end up getting married and have 2 children. Mr Barnum gets the idea to create a circus showing people that it’s okay to be different.

Now one of the main songs which you may have heard of is: “This is me”. The lyrics to this song really resonate with me.

THIS IS ME:

I’m not a stranger to the dark

Hide away, they say

‘Cause we don’t want your broken parts

I’ve learned to be ashamed of all my scars

Run away, they say

No one will love you as you are

But I won’t let them break me down to dust

I know that there’s a place for us

For we are glorious

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down

I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out

I am brave, I am bruised

I am who I’m meant to be, this is me

Look out ’cause here I come

And I’m marching on to the beat I drum

I’m not scared to be seen

I make no apologies, this is me

Another round of bullets hits my skin

Well, fire away ’cause today, I won’t let the shame sink in

We are bursting through the barricades

And reaching for the sun (we are warriors)

Yeah, that’s what we’ve become

Won’t let them break me down to dust

I know that there’s a place for us

For we are glorious

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down

Gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out

I am brave, I am bruised

I am who I’m meant to be, this is me

Look out ’cause here I come

And I’m marching on to the beat I drum

I’m not scared to be seen

I make no apologies, this is me

…This is me

And I know that I deserve your love

There’s nothing I’m not worthy of

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down

I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out

This is brave, this is bruised

This is who I’m meant to be, this is me

Look out ’cause here I come (look out ’cause here I come)

And I’m marching on to the beat I drum (marching on, marching, marching on)

I’m not scared to be seen

I make no apologies, this is me

(Whenever the words wanna cut me down

I’ll send the flood to drown them out)

This is me

This is one of my go to power songs! What’s yours? I think it’s so important to listen to music and switch off. It can really help to lift you, to refocus and regroup!

Feel free to comment below and to follow us on our social media pages. Our details are below:-

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/gpdesignblog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlpowerdesignblog/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/GirlPowerDesign/?ref=bookmarks

Girl Power Boss: Charlie Goodman

Welcome back! It’s Thursday so it’s time for another Girl Power Boss post!!! Today’s post is with the lovely Charlie Goodman! Okay let’s get started!

Please tell me a little about what you are doing now and how you got there?

Charlie: I work full time and in any spare time I have hustle with Isagenix on the side. After my third little girl Rosey sunshine, I had weight to loose which I couldn’t shift, but more than that I was completely lost. I had no idea who I was anymore and felt like I was on auto pilot. I didn’t smile as much, didn’t enjoy things as much and was missing out. I am a big social person, I have always had lots of friends and done my own thing, but I got caught up with doing what I thought you did and who you were supposed to be when you became a wife and got married, I couldn’t remember who Charlie was.

I was introduced to Isagenix by a friend of mine as a weight-loss solution but it became more than that as I wanted what she had, passion, energy a zest for life and most importantly an actual life outside of her family. Everything I used to be. So I joined up and it has been literally life changing! I’m back and I’m not listening to those people who tore me down anymore.

Now I’m doing the same for other women by giving them a chance to get back to them and to start enjoying life again.

Please tell me what a day in your life looks like?

Charlie: My day is hectic, haha! A mess pretty much, I am so unorganised. I pretend I am not but I am. My husband and I are up in the morning getting the kiddies ready for school and daycare. It’s always a race, as we seem to be running behind. My kids are dropped off at school and daycare by 7:00/7:30 am and I’m at work by 7:30/8:00 then its pretty much “work work work work work” and in amongst it I take what ever time I can get, to read up on any interesting posts they have in chardonnay and slay, my business chat group and the isagenix website.  We’re home by 5:30/6:00 pm dinner, bath and bed for kiddies and me on some nights. Then it’s time for bedroom tag, till about 8:00 pm trying to get the monkeys to stay in their bed and go to sleep then it’s me time. This is where I do what ever household thing I fancy, cos I don’t do all of them mainly washing up, tidying and getting ready for the next day. Then it’s time for a cup of tea or a glass of wine and I’m on my phone chatting to others about work, following up leads, chatting to friends and family and designing new posts. I’m a multi tasker at home I have to be.

I don’t have a planned scheduled because that’s not me, I wouldn’t follow it. I work whenever I have time.

What advice would you have for women reading this who are not happy with what they are doing?

Charlie: My advice for anyone who is not happy in their life is to put yourself first sometimes, see how you feel and don’t apologise for it to anyone you deserve it. I make crazy decisions all of the time because I’m emotionally fuelled. I’ve learnt that my best decisions come from when I’m thinking about me and coming from a place of love and respect for myself.

What hobbies or practices do you do to stay relaxed and creative?

Charlie: My relaxing time and stress free time is being with girlfriends, being social with my friends or my sister and my mum. That’s how I relax and how I get back to being me. This could be a coffee catch up, a dinner or wild night out but that’s how I get into my happy place and then I feel like I could take on the world, my energy is buzzing and my creativity runs wild!

What project are you working on at the moment?

Charlie: Currently I am working on building my business slowly but surely. I know there are lots of women out there who were like me and I’m here to help. It’s not about being skinny but at the end of the day no matter what people say how you look impacts how you feel about yourself and that in turn affects everything. I was miserable, lost and a lot of that was because of my weight. Unfortunately I got into a vicious circle of thinking I was fat, wanting to comfort eat but then growing bigger.

I lost the weight that made me unhappy. I’m not a size 8, I’m a 12 but I’m happy. I love my body and I love me.

Its all about your perfect you, the one where you love how you look, and how you look is your choice, no one else’s because it all starts with self love!

Empowered is the new skinny…. That’s my project!

How to get in touch with Charlie:

http://www.instagram.com/_alwayscharlie_

Facebook: Charlie Goodman

Thanks for sharing Charlie! Another inspiring post!

Do you think you would be a great Girl Power Boss? If so please get in touch by emailing: Girlpowerdesignblog@gmail.com for a chance to be featured.

Feel free to comment below and to follow us on our social media pages. Our details are below:-

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/gpdesignblog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlpowerdesignblog/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/GirlPowerDesign/?ref=bookmarks