By Kate Beckitt
For those doing Dry Jan, it’s nearly over. Therefore, come Feb 1st, whether you’re celebrating staying dry the whole month or just low-key looking for an excuse to drink (we’re not judging), we have the 6 cutest cocktails to help raise those spirits (literally) and toast the end of dry Jan with.
By Amy Pollard
When payday comes around, it’s a universal truth that you deserve something new. Here’s just a few pieces we’ll be adding to basket ASAP…
Stop everything, because the 2017 Oscar nominations are in. No surprise that La La Land has landed yet another swoop of categories but who else is up? Grab your gang and head to the movies RN…
By Kara Godfrey
Yelled at by your boss at work? Been ghosted by some rude-boy? It’s easy to give into the anger and who hasn’t gone on a bit of a Twitter rant only to regret it the next day? Next time you feel the red mist descend, try some of these top tips to staying zen…
Forget yoga; it’s all about burning off that rage. An angry run or kickboxing session means you’re concentrating on something else, be it your breathing or someone’s head you’re punching. As Lena Dunham says: “It ain’t about the ass; it’s about the brain.” And don’t forget to use that post-exercise shower for that pretend argument with whomever has got you mad.
Grab a bottle of wine and settle in for the evening. Warn your friends ahead of time but a good vent and scream helps you not only get it off your chest, but can help rationalise whatever the problem was with an external point of view. And any time with the girls is time well spent right?!
Whose to-do list is already out of control one month into 2017? However, those mundane tasks you’ve been putting off could come in handy when you need a distraction. Clearing your food cupboard of four-year-old chickpeas or sorting your beauty drawers of gloopy nail varnishes can take your mind off things as well as feeling like you’ve achieved something small. And it’s all good feng shui. Two birds with one (pumice) stone.
Ah, the beauty of technology. There are some great apps and websites out there which can help you take your mind off things, be it through meditation or laughter. Headspace is perfect for fitting in ten minutes a day of quiet mindfulness.
If nothing else, when you’re feeling mad or frustrated, it’s always good to keep a list of everything you have achieved and everything positive about you. Create your own ‘F*** Yeah’ list of your amazing travels, work successes or even just having an amazing bod. So next time you’re feeling mad, just remember; you’re awesome, babe.
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By Gabriella Werre
You know that part of the film where the popular, attractive female lead struts her stuff so hard it seems as if time has instantly slowed down and gravity has failed as people’s jaws drop to the floor? That’s how I feel when I walk through most doors, and you can too.
Confidence isn’t limited to a select few; no one can gift or grant you the ability to be confident-you are in control from day one.
If there was a contest for the most important characteristics of a confident person I would certainly advocate for body language to make the shortlist. Even if you’re secretly not all the way there confidence wise in your mind, no one can tell because your head is held high and your hands aren’t conjoined as your eyes follow the pavement. Making eye contact shows that you are strong enough to face anything or anyone. It says that you are equal. You can say more with your eyes than with your mouth and they pack more punch than a fist. Confident women do not demand respect with their voice, but with their body language, after all actions speak louder than words.
Walk down the street like you own the place and people will think you do.
No, this doesn’t mean stop apologizing when you accidentally spill someone’s coffee or if you want to scoot pass someone on the tube, it means stop apologizing when your ‘friend’ says your laugh is too loud or your boss says you failed at a task. A confident person knows their laugh is loud (i.e. me my whole life) and laughs anyways. A confident person also takes on board their boss’ comments and works harder. Hard work and succeeding in the future is the best apology, and one your boss will respect more.
In addition, how many of us have ever sent an email to someone saying: “Sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to …”. There are two keywords here that don’t belong, sorry and just. Eliminate those two words from your email terminology. Sure, apologize in an email if you were late for a meeting with your potential employer, but you don’t need to apologize for simply emailing people. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was to stop saying just in emails! No, I don’t just want to speak with you, I want to speak with you. It exudes confidence, while ‘just’ implies that it’s not really that important…i.e. you’re not that important. Don’t sell yourself short.
There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with waking up, looking in the mirror and thinking to yourself (or even saying out loud!) “Damn girl, you look f*cking great!” You are great, I may not know who you are, but I can tell there is something about you. You rock, you’re beautiful and you probably kick ass. And, if you don’t realise that, you need to get to work on some serious self-loving! Of course, we all have things we can improve on or habits we need to kick or characteristics we see as flaws, but that’s life…let it be known that life is not a utopia.
When our friends or siblings succeed, we clap and hoot and hollar. Our excitement for positive outcomes and successes isn’t limited or bound by who is succeeding. When my friends do well, I’m like a proud mother not a cynical step-sister. Jealousy is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die…you’re the only one who suffers.
I cannot count how many times someone has called me intimidating because I’ve spoken up. These people have confused intimidation with confidence as most people who have insecurities do. If you have an opinion, it deserves as much attention as the counter argument. If you overhear a girl in the bathroom being a bully to someone it’s OK to say something. If you’re at the bar and a bartender is being an arse it’s not rude of you to interject and call him or her out. Speaking up and speaking out for what you believe in is not only more than okay but it also accredits your strength. Don’t let anyone take advantage of that. Call people out, hold people accountable and say what is on your mind. Have an idea in the boardroom? Say it and say it with grit, tenacity and boldness.
Confident people still look in the mirror sometimes and think, “sh*t” because what every confident person certainly does is remember that they are first human.
Having moments of insecurity does not diminish, deplete or compromise your being a confident woman (or man!) overall.
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