2011: Your Year to fly Sky-High!

Okay, so we all know the value of goal setting. We've heard it over and over again- Set Goals! If you want to get anywhere, Set Goals!

Well, they are right. Everyone needs a road map to their ultimate life.

What a lot of people forget is that this is your life. No one elses. You set the rules, you decide how to live it. Everything in your life right now is there because at some point you made a choice. Even choosing not to act is a choice.

So why not take the helm and steer your life with full intention and consciousness?

So. How do you make this coming year the best one yet?

Sit down and have a really good think, a heart to heart with yourself about what you want. Don't hold back!

Don't worry about how you'll achieve them at this stage, that comes later. For now, just put them down. It can be anything from the trivial (drink more champagne) to the life-changing (career change anyone?).

So what can you think of? Do you like your job? Is this where you want to be in a years time? Perhaps a career change, or just changing locations to get back time from your commute.

What about relationships? Are the people in your life lifting you up? Maybe you want a bigger circle of friends, or maybe fewer acquaintances and more genuine friendships?

Do you want a monogamous relationship or a new lover every month? Maybe you want to spend a year alone?

At the end of the day, you want to look at where you are now, and where you want to be this time next year. You might be going from strength to strength, or just finding your feet. You can think about things like how you want to dress, what projects you want to volunteer for, what you want to learn..you get the drift!

Once you have your list, you can write it up, type it, draw it or even make a Dream Board, with images from magazines and photos that represent your goals and inspire you. Just make sure you put it somewhere you can see it. Having this constant reminder will help you on a subconscious level, as well as consciously, to stay on track. And don't worry if you change your mind about something, it's totally your prerogative.

Next, you want to figure out a time line and break down of these goals. It will ensure you take the necessary action to make these things happen. Breaking big goals down into baby steps will make it so much easier to tackle, one thing at a time.

For instance, if you're not happy in your job, and know you need to do a course to get where you want to be, have a look at the course schedule. Write it down, then decide when you will start to look for work in your new industry.

Of course, it can get much more detailed than that, or if your goal is a little less tangible, like 'Get healthy', figure out what that means to you. Eg. Join the gym in January, quit drinking for February...

etc.

Basically, each big goal needs a smaller list of stepping-stones to get there, and part of that is making sure things are done by a certain time. This gives you focus and drive.

Just to demonstrate how unlimited your own goals can be, here is a quick sample from my own:

• Study 'Boxing for Fitness'
• Meditate daily
• Finish my book. Research publishing houses.
• Go to a masquerade ball.
• Drink a bottle of champagne in the garden for a week

And I promise, it is a lot longer than that. Next I will break down each goal into a step-by-step process.

So what are you waiting for? Start dreaming big!

The most beautiful Art is the Art of a life well-lived.

Yours in Self-Love and excitement for 2011,

JessieAnne XO

What makes you wear makeup?

First up, Merry Christmas! hope you had a great time, as I did.



Leading up to Christmas, one of the thoughts on my mind was "What makeup should I wear for Christmas Eve?' (My partner's family event is that day, and it is the most formal part of my christmas.)
Should I wear bold eyes? perhaps a bright pink lip? should I do a smokey eye? should I do natural makeup?
I noticed that the only option I didn't consider was no makeup. This struck me as odd, since aside from trying out some makeup I was given as a present, I wore no makeup on Christmas day.
I seemed to have it stuck in my head that any semi formal event meant I had to do makeup.  So, after going with bright blue eyeliner and pink lips..(dont worry, It worked and looked awesome) I felt ready to go to this event. No-one else there was wearing makeup. Or much makeup at least.

And then today during some browsing, my usual haunt, www.galadarling.com had created a list of highlights from her blog over the year, and I noticed this post. http://galadarling.com/article/oh-make-me-overWhich, obviously, was fun for me. But then I noticed her writing about something called "No makeup week" which was created by another blogger, Rabbit Write. Nedless to say, this captured my attention. I also poked around and noticed that Zoetica Ebb had participated and had some interesting stuff to say.

I believe most people wear makeup because they are self conscious of their skin or their face, which in a way, is fair enough. But its not like we want a friend who never wears makeup to cover her skin up so it looks even and 'flawless', yet we feel like we must do that ourselves.
Many of us believe that it's expected in the workplace, and that it makes our jobs easier. I also don't get this one, as I have worn a full face of makeup to work, as well as a bare face with a giant rash on my forehad thanks to an allergic reaction, and I still had a roughly similiar day.

I know why I wear makeup though.
I like the glamour of it, the fun of it, and the idea that I can create a persona through my hair and makeup and clothes that I can emanate through the day, so really, for me, its a sophisticated dress up party every day. Who do I want to be? Retro bombshell a la Dita Von Teese? Modern, candy like pinup, a la Katy Perry? Goth? Faerie child? I can create myself. That is exciting to me.
However, my view can perhaps be bias, as I also like how I look sans makeup. I am fortunate enough to have clear skin. However, it's dry at places, I have horrid undereye circles and I much prefer having at least tinted lip balm and mascara.

Makeup isn't a chore for me, and Ill happily show my bare face. See? ignore the silly face and lame t-shirt...haha.

I really want to know more about what motivates other people, and if you could go a week without makeup.Also, how old were you when you started wearing a full face? I only bought my first foundation this year, at 19 years old. However, ive been wearing eyeshadow and lip colours for years.
What do you think about our perceived need to cover ourselves in a million potions and products, and how does it affect how you view people when you meet them? I know I couldn't go to a job interview without makeup, as it can be a mask for me too.

Please do share, I'm really interested!

How to be Alone...and why everyone should try it!

There is rarely a time when we're not plugged into some sort of media or another. We've got iphones, Facebook, Ipods, TV, email, blogs, live feeds on our phones...you get the picture.

Genuine time alone is becoming a rarity.

But how can we get to know ourselves if we're never alone with ourselves? A lot of people are actually uncomfortable being alone, and will even turn on the TV just to fill the silence. Does this sound at all like you?

When we spend time alone, we give ourselves breathing space and time to tune into what's really going on in our minds and emotions. We have to deal with all the stuff that we may have been squashing down inside ourselves. Rather than this being a scary thing, it's actually a very empowering and healthy thing to do.

When we tune into ourselves and listen to what's really going on mentally and emotionally, we can gauge what's happening in our lives and where we're happy, or which situations we may need to work on to improve. This allows us to make better decisions for our own highest benefit, which in turn allows us to move forward to a better, happier existence. 

However, being alone doesn't have to mean sitting in your bedroom staring at the wall! One fun idea is to have a romance....with yourself! You are the number one person in your life, and you always be, whether single, playing the field or in a committed relationship. So spending quality time alone, and treating yourself like the beautiful person you are, is a great way to get in touch with yourself.

Here are some fun ideas for spending time alone.

• Take yourself out for brunch or lunch. Sit in a window seat and watch the world go by whilst enjoying the most extravagant, yummy dish you can afford.
• Go walking or hiking alone. Find a national park or walking trail and get out there. Enjoy the fresh air and the natural setting, whilst taking time and space to think, and to take in the beautiful scenery. This is an ideal way to recharge those batteries if you're normally a very busy person.
• Work out! Spending time at the gym or taking yourself off to a class is not only giving you time and space away from the world, it's also going to give a an endorphin rush and a healthy body.
• Spend time journalling the old fashioned way- with pen and paper. That way there's no internet to distract you, and you can get those thoughts, ideas and inspirations out on paper.
• Spend time alone playing an instrument. Playing music helps you focus on what you're doing, and helps to switch off the constant chatter in your mind.
• Pamper yourself. Go get a massage. Give yourself a facial, and burn essential oils.
• Take yourself to see a movie. This one can be especially challenging, as the cinema is full of groups of people and couples and it can feel a bit lame sitting there on your own. But this is even more reason to do it! Being comfortable enough with your own presence that you can do what you want, when you want, instead of waiting till other people are ready to join you, is very freeing.
• Meditate! The ultimate way to get in touch with your calm, centered self.
• Grab a sketch book and draw.
• Paint, or go out with a camera and take photos of all the beauty you see around you.
• Sew, or revamp your wardrobe. Get creative, be bold!

After a while, you'll come to truly appreciate how great a person you are to spend time with, and to appreciate the clarity of thought this time can give you.

Remember, it's all about taking care of you, because you know you totally deserve it. :)

'I've been in a relationship with myself for 49 years and that's the one I need to work on. ' - Samantha Jones, Sex and the City 2.

Yours in Self-Love,

JessieAnne.