When things get too tough, we surely want some time with ourselves – called as ‘ME’ time.
One way to use that time is by having your own ‘Positive Corner’. A corner, a spot which helps us recharge and become one with our thoughts allowing us to introspect on the emotions that we are currently under. This place can be used to give ourselves positive affirmations.
My positive spot is the backyard of our home, because it is a beautiful space where I get to sync with my soul and find inner peace. It makes me feel fresh and gives me assurance that everything will fall in place no matter what and a new day will begin. As I breathe in the fresh air, it reminds me how time changes everything and for our own good. So I cross my legs, sit up straight, close my eyes and affirm to myself – “I am deeply connected, loved, cuddled and hugged by the universe within me in every aspect of my day”
to attain peace and solitude.
It is one such mantra which when religiously practiced allows oneself to connect with their inner-self.
Thanks Poornima for participating in our Mental Wellness/ Positivity series. You too can participate using the hashtag #positivitywithempowerednsakhi
Tips by Ash Vinod (Dot Mandala Artist & Recipe Blogger).
“She did a lot of things but most importantly she continued to choose what was best for her each day. She stopped stressing over small stuff and learned how to grow into her full potential, she finally gave her heart away to herself.” – Zachry K Douglas.
For me being mentally fit is as important if not more than physical fitness. According to me both physical & mental fitness are ongoing journeys/processes and there is no magical pill or one time fix which could keep one happy or mentally strong forever.
My day begins with gratitude and a small meditation. I try & do yoga at least 3-4 days a week which helps with my physical agility and mental clarity. For me keeping myself aligned inside out is primarily important. I keep my thoughts, words, energies & actions in synchrony and my journey for the last 7 years has been towards the same. “I say/act what I think, or I don’t think in mind something which I cannot voice”. This harmonious equation has helped me immensely to keep up with my mental wellness. I am also a firm believer of karma; the word karma simply means ‘one’s actions’. I always give what I would like to be given maintaining mindfulness through my day.
I spend quality time with my family but also give myself time out/catch ups with my girl gangs having some time off my regular chores and schedule. I feel as a woman most of us have innate needs such as dressing up, chit chatting, sharing some laughs etc and I make sure I get my quota of the same.
I am also a strong believer of giving back/paying forward. I am a volunteer of special religious education for many years now, teaching my religion at the local public school. Being a recipe blogger & a culinary writer for the last 10 years, I have also conducted voluntary cooking workshops for kids & seniors.
Last but not the least comes my dot mandalas, another addition to my holistic journey. I started my dot mandala journey a year ago as a hobby and it has become part of me now. I do my dot mandala work with mediation music which makes it very therapeutic. I love immersing myself into the dot mandala world to get my quality me time which greatly aids my mental happiness.
I always keep my cup brimming to the top by doing things which fill my soul, for I cannot pour if my cup is empty. I am the best person to look after myself, for if I do not who will.
Meet our featured beauty with brains Vanshika Sehgal , a Psychologist & Makeup Artist based in Sydney, Australia,
“Being a psychologist by profession, I never had any sort of intrest in makeup. But God had different plans for me. I still have no idea how and what got me into this line. But I will forever be grateful. Work always came to me when I least expected it. I started off almost 5 years ago and my experience, practice and creativity got me here.
Almost 20 music videos, over a 1000 clients and fashion shoots, and hundreds of brand collaborations later, I am proud of what I do. My clients are my priority and I still do every makeup like its my first. My motto is ‘Love what you do and do what you love.’ This is what I will be doing forever.” – Vanshika.
Feel free to check out her Instagram Www.Instagram.com/embellishbyvanshika
We all face challenges and strive hard to create a balance between all the things we do and the various roles we juggle. This can make us feel overwhelmed, anxious, and even frustrated. Always make a to-do list, plan, organise yourself, set aside times, and most importantly believe in yourself and make time for self-care even if it is just 5 min. Listen to your favourite music, do a dance, paint a picture, play an instrument, cook up your favourite dish, get some fresh air, gardening or learn something new! As hard as it may seem at times, “Let it go” and you will see a significant change in your perspective, and you find yourself more at peace in dealing with whatever is thrown at you! Remember you are the sole master of your thought process and very soon you will start to realise that in the middle of every difficulty, lies an opportunity!
Thanks Rethika for participating in our Mental Wellness/ Positivity series. You too can participate using the hashtag #positivitywithempowerednsakhi
Meet our featured beauty with brains Roli Shrivastava; a corporate professional, a passionate entrepreneur and the founder of EventixPro, an upcoming event management company; based in Sydney, Australia.
With Masters in Finance and Human Resource Management, Roli has a diverse experience of over 15 years, working with major banks and prominent companies in Australia.
Roli’s unique skills, diverse experience and solid network gives her an edge to create, organise, manage and promote all kinds of events and she strongly believes in the saying – ‘Strive for Perfection and settle for Excellence’.
Roli has successfully managed and helped in delivering community to high profile Bollywood events with top celebrities including Mika Singh, Shreya Ghoshal and many more for 4000+ audience.
EventixPro is an one stop service for end to end event management offering – Event Planning and Marketing, Ticketing Platform and Event Promotions.
Join EventixPro’s upcoming girls night out party “DAZZLING DIVAS” on 14th August at Sapphire Function Centre Auburn.
To look after my mental health, well being and emotional health, once a month I take a ‘mental health day out.’ I often invite a friend to join me for this event. We take off early in the morning, with our backpacks 🎒 and water bottles and the rule of the day is to use public transport getting to a place we have never been to before.
It’s fun and exciting. We also carry along our colour pencils and mandala colouring books 📚 and affirmation cards & find the time to sit and do these things during this day. We do a lot of walking, eating, laughing 😂 and chatting. We often aim to get home by 9 PM and we have always felt recharged, happy and looking forward to planning the next ‘MH day!’ For the following month, It gives us something to look forward to and to enjoy nature and the simple pleasures of life.
Some MH days I have also done with my dear husband 😍It always gives us an opportunity to talk without being interrupted 👍🏾Eventhough, currently we are in a lockdown, you can experience a sense of joy 🤩 just planning for you next MH day!😍🙏🏾There are lots of beautiful places in and around Sydney that you can venture in to. Enjoy! The planning as well as the day itself. This time set aside to escape the grind of daily life is really refreshing and a great boost for your self worth and inner soul💕
Thanks Cynthia for participating in our Mental Wellness/ Positivity series. You too can participate using the hashtag #positivitywithempowerednsakhi
“She rules over all seasons, be it summer or winter. Watch her clear the snow from her path, and to the wind whisper: ‘I am strong, I am bold. My spirits can’t be dampened by the cold. I will fight gales and hailstorms, I will challenge the norms.’”
The purpose of our fashion features, photoshoots, online magazine issues etc, is to empower and uplift women through fashion and make them feel confident about themselves. Another purpose is to provide a platform for women in the fashion & beauty industry to showcase their talents, skills and products.
Feel yourself as a child again. Feel the magic that surrounded you when you were so connected to your heart. That the word IMPOSSIBLE did not exist. Feel that heart and bring it back to life. Love is the way..
~ Roxana Jones ~
Be true to yourself. Spend time with yourself – reconnecting with your inner child and allowing yourself permission to be happy again.
The world clouds us and shields us from expanding and grabbing opportunities to express and BE.
Choose to celebrate yourself everyday in any form…. Choose to awaken the child within you so you can continue to spread those bubbles of happiness with everyone you cross paths with.
Thanks Asha for participating in our Mental Wellness/ Positivity series. You too can participate using the hashtag #positivitywithempowerednsakhi
If you want to improve your relationship with someone, write five good things about that person for a few days. You will see a change in the relationship dynamics within a short period of time. The reason why this works is the energy changes between the two people. You start sending positive vibes to the other person.
You can try this with your family members/ boss/ colleagues/friends or anyone.
Thanks Archana for participating in our Mental Wellness/ Positivity initiative. You too can participate using the hashtag #positivitywithempowerednsakhi
Crafting can be a way to escape our troubles, helping us to be creative and feel beautiful from within. This is truly healing and restorative and actually very therapeutic. In fact, the healing benefits of crocheting are numerous.
Crocheting reduces stress and anxiety.
There are many times we feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed in our daily lives. That’s the perfect time to take out some time for ourselves and do what we love. When we do something we like, our brains release dopamine, a chemical that affects our emotions and functions as a natural antidepressant. Taking our mind off of chronic pain can help it seem like it goes away, adding to the natural pain-relief properties of the craft’s serotonin release. Breaking the ruminating cycles of the mind with crochet adds to the reduction of depression. Hence I would suggest you pick up some yarn, a crochet hook and spend some time being creative. This makes us feel happier and better about ourselves taking our mind off whatever has been nagging us.
2. There are proven benefits to colour therapy and yarn is colourful.
Happy colours are bright, warm colours like yellow, orange, pink and red. Pastel colours like peach, light pink or lilac can also have an uplifting effect on your mood. Green being a quiet and restful soothing colour can invite harmony and diffuse anxiety. Blue being a highly peaceful colour can be especially helpful for stress management because it can encourage a powerful sense of calm.
The brighter and lighter a colour, the more happy and optimistic it will make you feel. Looking to relax? Take out a few skeins of yarn, one at a time, and gaze at them long enough to see what noticeable changes there are in your mood. Trust your gut and pick up the colour that you feel best about. You will feel the uplifting effect on your mood.
Crochet is a tactile craft.
When you crochet you are working with fibre, which can have such a great impact on your skin. Different yarns have different textures. The soft touch of a yarn can soothe your soul on the darkest of days or try a rougher fibre like jute to get yourself grounded back into your body. In addition to the feeling of the fibre itself, pay attention to the benefits of the motion of the craft. By focusing on the repetitive motions of individual stitches and counting rows, your mind is able to be more relaxed and free from anxious ideas and thoughts. It offers a meditative sensation that helps lull you out of anxiety and into ease.
Crocheting puts you in control.
When we choose to craft we are in full control of everything we do. From choosing the type of project, the colour and type of yarn, type of crochet hooks to work with in fact we decide everything! This itself gives us a powerful feeling of being able to make our own decisions and builds confidence.
Crochet builds your self-esteem.
I can speak for myself here. There are many days when my aches and pains leave me feeling worthless. This frustrating feeling of not being able to do anything productive is overwhelming. What I love about crochet is that I do not need much space and can be comfortably settled even in my bed with less energy creating beautiful items. What a great way to battle the blues! By working up a project to give as a gift or sell at a craft fair we feel useful. Though we don’t craft just for the compliments, a little bit of external validation by someone buying our finished item or our gift recipient wearing our creation definitely boosts our self-esteem making us feel worthy.
With much love, Shantana For more of my crochet work please feel free to check out my pages.
Thanks Shantana for participating in our Mental Wellness/ Positivity initiative. You too can participate using the hashtag #positivitywithempowerednsakhi
Empowered Brave Women Building Futures 