Self-Help Tips for Dealing with a Lack of Confidence

Many people suffer from a lack of confidence. This is nothing to be ashamed of, though. Unfortunately, it’s been a part of our society for a while now, making it a common problem. 

Here is a list of ways that people have been able to deal with their lack of confidence.

1. Live in the moment. When you live in the moment you can focus on the now rather than focus on the past where you experienced your hurt and encountered your fears. You can then be unconcerned and hopeful about your future without the pressure of your past looming up behind you and making your confidence plummet once again. This mindfulness tool takes time to master as it can be hard to ignore the past making its way back into your mind.

2. Develop awareness. When you’re aware, you can notice how you are acting during certain situations. That way, you’ll create space between your emotions and actions, helping you to respond to someone or something in a healthier way.

3. Write in a journal. Many of our thoughts and feelings are stuck inside the subconscious part of our mind. By writing, we are able to release those thoughts. Once you’re done writing, look over what you wrote and try figuring out why you felt a specific way. We can also separate those negative thoughts we tend to have about ourselves from the truth behind who you actually are; a unique person whom can do whatever they set their mind to.

4. Don’t be judgmental. When we approach our lives without judgment, we are able to accept ourselves, our experiences, failures, and successes. On top of that, we are more open to accepting others just as they are, whether they are good or bad.

5. Stay connected to who you are. By doing this you are able to establish a connection with yourself and reduce possible people-pleasing habits. Don’t always think of other needs over your own. You are just as important as everyone else is; don’t forget that!

6. Practice mindful meditation. Meditation allows you to let go off the negative thoughts that invade your mind on a daily basis. Don’t accept those damaging thoughts, feelings, emotions, and beliefs as part of who you are. Take time out of each day to take a couple deep breaths and slowly feel the negativity leave your body and mind.

7. Let it all go. Usually the things you have such low confidence about no one else notices. When you accomplish letting all of the negative thoughts leave your mind, you create a certain trust within yourself and choose what’s best for you.

8. Show yourself some love. Everyone deserves compassion, whether it be from yourself or someone else. When you tell yourself how much you love you, you’ll gain a sense of strength, safety, and acceptance.

Everyone has things they aren’t confident about, whether it be about themselves or a situation they aren’t comfortable in. Each one of us is unique in our own way, but sometimes we forget that. So before getting too down on yourself, remember who you are and remember that you are loved and supported by the people you carry close to your heart.

Written by Yola Bastos Co-Founder of Women Flix  and Founder of Beautifly Digital

https://msha.ke/yolabastos/

Women Flix, Supporting Women all the way to Success! 

Women Flix Limited, is a company limited by guarantee, was incorporated in England and Wales (company no. 13047578 )

Alopecia, my dear friend...

Alopecia, my dear friend, 

this blog article is mostly for you and my dear readers. 

I haven't written any updates about you, my friend Alopecia, since I was diagnosed in March, and I must say that it is good to be focused on other layers of my life as well and move forward.

My friend Alopecia, you are still with me, and that's alright.

Now let's get some updates. By the doctor's conclusion, you came into my life because of an iron deficiency in my body, and that is no longer the situation. Yay! Isn't that wonderful news?! You are smiling (I know you are... ) Thank you for that.

As I said, you are still here, but my iron improved very well and I might continue to take one more dose of 2 months of iron tablets in order to reach a point in my organism that will make my hair grow again.  Sometimes I look in the mirror and it seems like I'm losing more hair, other times it looks like it's growing, and it's tough to keep up with that, you know?! One thing I noticed lately is that if the hair is growing, it is white. So cute!

In between all that, I want to share something deeper with you about this trip. I consider it a trip to a beautiful destination where I am becoming a better person, at least to myself.

Since I've been diagnosed with alopecia, different thoughts, situations, and feelings have come into my life.

Let me share one of my interesting examples: 

Walking in the streets is not the same anymore, as I see the look other people give me, either with regret or care. My emotions can go up and down very quickly or even slowly; I start to realise that people are kinder to me because of the way that I look, and at the same time, I decided to become kinder as well, to people and to myself. There's magic in these simple moments.

It makes me go further with a better me, and I had to get this amazing friend (alopecia) to recognise that there is still more of me that can be better.

It leaves me thinking of people who are going through this Alopecia journey like me but also other illnesses and/or diseases that has them losing their hair or cutting it. More importantly, I am left wondering about how they feel and live their lives. I'm travelling on a journey that I did not plan and I would like to know more about other people that are going through the same/similar experience or have been in this kind of situation before. 

Let me share a video that I made recently, where I'm shaving my hair alone! Yes, alone, because when I had my funky hairstyle I couldn't make it. (Here's another great achievement due to my friend Alopecia!) 

Nowadays, every single Friday, I shave my head to decrease the appearance of hair emptiness at the front that I have. I actually started to think that the fact that my iron levels are good now and I'm still taking tablets to increase the empty areas to grow, my other areas with hair are growing like mad lol. It seems to me that it is growing faster ehehehhe... 

Follow me on my Instagram and see my videos and pictures from actual moments every week. 

Life is always full of surprises. Make sure that you are enjoying the ride.

 

Written by Yola Bastos Co-Founder of Women Flix  and Founder of Beautifly Digital

https://msha.ke/yolabastos/

Women Flix, Supporting Women all the way to Success! 

Women Flix Limited, is a company limited by guarantee, was incorporated in England and Wales (company no. 13047578 ).

The Benefits of Living Off the Grid

Everything you have done as you choose to live off the grid will be paid for in the end. This way of life comes with challenges but it also has lots of benefits that will really make you happy and proud of yourself once you are able to achieve success.

Before you learn the benefits of living off the grid, you should focus first on the top reasons why you must prefer to spend your life in this way. These reasons will motivate you to do whatever it takes just to reap the advantages in the end.

The Top 10 Reasons to Live Off the Grid

• To become more aware of the environment


• To have a more independent lifestyle not only for yourself but for your loved ones as well


• To feel security as you are far from the concerns associated with the busy city


• To learn how to become the master of your own fate


• To obtain a simple and more satisfying way of life


• To learn how to produce your own foods


• To achieve a kind of life that is totally free from debt and learn how to be prudent


• To understand that regardless of what may happen to the world, your own family is ready


• To learn how you will be able to live off the land


• To become an example to your children and give them a bequest of independence

When you follow these reasons with all of your heart, you will meet success and you will attain the benefits of the grid way of life. 

These advantages are the following:

• Reduced cost of energy – when you prefer to spend your life in this way, the cost of your monthly electrical bill will drop significantly. The truth is, in some instances, the electric company might even cut you a check.


• Freedom from being dependent on the utility grid- You will not have constant reliance on the utility grid. Other people believe that the grid will never be available forever. It will never happen and that is true.


• Reduced risk of climate-related incidence of power loss – if the weather becomes funky, power may still be available. But, when a powerful storm hits your location, the power grid will be affected and it will lose its capacity to produce and provide power. That’s the right time to use alternative sources of energy.


• Lots of home design choices – most designs of houses today could be off the grid. While these homes are typically smaller, it will not be the case at all times. The grid way of living is not simply something that folks on this planet do. Though, these home styles are energy-efficient and excellent choices so you may desire to look into them.


• Increased knowledge about the environment- You’ll get a completely new education when you choose to live off the grid. Managing the alternative power systems, living in a simpler way and learning the most effective ways to save provide a hands-on education that you will never get wholly from the books. Most of the off the grid homestead dwellers think of this way of life as a life choice and not as a way their house is designed.


• Reduced carbon footprint – your carbon footprint will be diminished once you live off the grid. You can determine how much your carbon footprint is by using a carbon footprint calculating tool.

So now that you have learned everything about living off the grid, are you ready enough to face the challenge? If you are 100% sure then take it!

Written by Yola Bastos Co-Founder of Women Flix 

https://msha.ke/yolabastos/

Women Flix, Supporting Women all the way to Success! 

Women Flix Limited, a company limited by guarantee, was incorporated in England and Wales (company no. 13047578 ).

How Important Is It to Live in the Here and Now

What do you mean by living in the here and now? It means that you are not thinking about your past and not worrying about the future. If you are living in the present, you are living in the life of reality. Your past and future are only illusions.

To live in the present means that you are ready to face the world. Since you are not depending on your past, you will always be contented with your present life.

If you are still sealed with your past, here are the best things you can do to live in the present:

Being Present

• Be Conscious of Your Surroundings and Stop Beating Yourself Up- If you are aware of your surroundings, you don’t have to think about your past life. It means that your attention will be on your present situation. You also need to smile and congratulate yourself for everything you have done.


• Remove Unwanted Possessions – If you don’t want to live in the past, you have to remove all the things to forget them. Then, start living in the present by focusing on the things you need to do.


• Forgive Past Hurts – If you are still attached to your past situations, it is hard for you to face the reality and your present situation. So, make sure that you choose to forgive and move on. Though the harm is there, you have to take action to ensure that it will never affect your present moods and activities.


• Dream for Your Future while Working Hard Today - There is nothing wrong if you dream big. What matters most is what you are doing at present to fulfil your dreams. So, start setting goals and plan for your future.


• Stop Worrying – Unlike others, you will never appreciate the beauty of life if you keep on worrying too much. Take note that tomorrow is another day. Whether you worry about it or not, things will happen.

Living in the present is not as easy as you think. This is often observed if one cannot easily forget the things that happened in the past. The past teaches everything you need to know. With your past, you learned from your mistakes and make your life even more effective than before. Your future, on the other hand, is the result of your present actions.

Planning for the future means taking on board the things that you want to happen. Why do you need to live in the present? Living in the present means that you are aware of your present situation, but with a commitment to the future and an appreciation of your past. Through this, it is easy for you to manage your life. You can plan a strategy to create a positive way to get what you really want.

If you are facing hardship in life, it is easy for you to solve it. In case you have a huge company, you can also decide which skills need to be implemented and how to handle your business. Living in the present also allows you to appreciate the things and people around you. If you are focusing on your past or future alone, expect that you will never enjoy your life. You will also neglect the things that you need to do.

Written by Yola Bastos Co-Founder of Women Flix 

https://msha.ke/yolabastos/

Women Flix, Supporting Women all the way to Success! 

Women Flix Limited, a company limited by guarantee, was incorporated in England and Wales (company no. 13047578 ).

Prosperity Knowledge

The more you understand about the unknown the more you really comprehend how little you understand. It makes you modest and brings you back to the domain of wonders, miracles and magic. A domain in which everything is conceivable.

Please study this article with a wide-open mind. You don't have to trust everything that's written here – simply explore as a scientist would do. When you hit a passage that's hard to grasp, take a break and ponder it a while. Let your mind process this fresh information. Read this article a couple of times, take your time and produce your own experiences.

Those who truly want to attain a financially free mindset, have only to set their minds on it and acquire the proper means, as they do in relation to any other aim which they want to achieve, and it can be easily done. But however simple it might be to make revenue, I have no doubt many will agree it's the hardest thing in the world to hold on to it.

It consists merely in spending less than we bring in; that appears to be a really simple issue. A lot of my readers might say, “we comprehend this: this is the mindset, and we know mindset is wealth; we know we can’t eat our cake and have it as well.”

The Basics

True mindset is misconceived, and individuals go through life without properly grasping what that principle is.
One says, “I've an income of so much, and here is my neighbour who has the same; yet yearly he flourishes and I fall short; why is it? I understand all about mindset.” He thinks he does, but he doesn't.

There are women & men who believe that mindset consists in scrimping, in cutting off two cents from the washing bill and doing all sorts of little, mean things. Mindset isn't meanness. The misfortune is, likewise, that this class of individuals let their mindset apply in only one direction. They fancy they're so wonderfully frugal in saving a penny where they should spend two cents that they think they can afford to waste in other directions.

Before kerosene oil was exposed, one might stop overnight at nearly any farmer’s house and get a really good supper, but after supper, he may attempt to read in the living room and would find it impossible with the ineffective light of one candle.

The hostess, seeing his quandary, would state: “it's rather hard to read here evenings; we never have an additional candle except on special occasions." These special occasions happen, perhaps, twice a year. In that way the woman saves 5, 6, or 10 dollars: but the information which may be gained from having the extra light would, naturally, far outweigh a ton of candles.

But the difficulty doesn't end here. Feeling that she is so frugal in candles, she believes she can afford to go often to spend 20 or 30 dollars for ribbons and frills, many of which are not essential. This false belief may frequently be seen in other instances.

You find great businesswomen/men who save old envelopes and scraps of paper. This is all OK; they might in this way save 5 or 10 dollars a year, but being so frugal (only on paper), they believe they can afford to squander time; by having expensive parties, and driving their fancy cars. This is an illustration of “penny wise and pounds foolish.” I never knew a man to succeed by applying this sort of mindset.

A true sound financial mindset consists in always making the profit exceed the expenditure. Wear the old clothes a bit longer if essential; give up the new pair of gloves; fix the old dress: exist on plainer food if need be; so that, under all conditions, unless some unexpected accident happens, there will be an allowance in favour of the profit.

A penny here and a dollar there saved goes on accumulating, and in that way, the desired result is accomplished. It requires some training, possibly, to achieve this mindset, but when once used to it, you'll discover there's more satisfaction in rational saving than in irrational spending.

Here is a formula which I advocate: I've found it to work as a great cure for extravagance, and particularly for mistaken mindset. When you find that you've no surplus money at the end of the year, and yet have a great income, I advise you to take a couple of pieces of paper and mark down each item of expenditure.

Post it daily or weekly in 2 columns, one headed “essentials” or even “comforts”, and the other headed “luxuries,” and you'll discover that the latter column will be double, or more, larger than the former. The true comforts of life cost but a small portion of what most of us may earn.

Think of the keep up with the Jones attitude: One may say; “there's a man who has an income of fifty thousand dollars annually, while I have but one thousand dollars; I knew that young man when he was poor like myself; now he's wealthy and thinks he's better than I am; I'll show him that I'm as good as he is; I will go and purchase a fancy car; no, I can't do that, but I'll go and rent one and ride this afternoon on the same road that he does, and therefore prove to him that I'm as good as he is.”

My friend, you don't have to do all that; you may easily prove that you are “as good as he is;” you've only to behave as well as he does, but you can't make anybody feel that you're rich as he is. Also, if you act like this, and waste your time and spend your income, you'll remain poor, in order that you might keep up “appearances,” and, after all, deceive nobody.

You’ll not advance in the world if your envy forces you into debt. In this country, where we believe the majority ought to rule, we brush aside that principle in reference to style, and let a handful of individuals, calling themselves the aristocracy, run up a fake standard of perfection, and in striving to rise to that standard, we perpetually keep ourselves poor; all the time grinding away for the sake of outside appearances.

How much more sensible to say, “We’ll regulate our expenditures by our income, and save something for a rainy day.” Individuals should be as sensible on the issue of money as on any other subject. Like movements produce like effects. You can't accumulate a fortune by taking the road that leads to impoverishment. Those who live beyond their means, with no thought of a setback in this life, may never attain monetary independence.

Men and women used to satisfy every impulse will find it difficult, initially, to cut back their various unnecessary expenses, and will feel it a great denial to live in a little home than they've been accustomed to, with less expensive furniture, less pricy clothing, less entertainment, and additional extravagances; but, after all, if they'll try saving a “nest-egg,” or judiciously investing, they'll be surprised at the joy from perpetually adding to their little “bundle”.

The old suit, and the old hat, will work for another season; the water tastes better than champagne; a brisk walk will prove more stimulating than a ride in the finest auto; an evening spent playing a family game will be far more pleasant than a 50 dollar night out, when you begin to know the pleasures of saving.

Thousands of women & men are kept poor, and tens of thousands are made so after they've acquired riches, as a result of living beyond their means. “Easy come, easy go,” is an old and true adage. A spirit of pridefulness and vanity, when allowed to have full sway, is the undying problem.

Many individuals, as they set out to prosper, instantly start spending for luxuries, till in a short time their expenses eat up their income, and they become ruined in their absurd attempts to maintain appearances.

Written by Yola Bastos Co-Founder of Women Flix 

https://msha.ke/yolabastos/

Women Flix, Supporting Women all the way to Success! 

Women Flix Limited, a company limited by guarantee, was incorporated in England and Wales (company no. 13047578 ).

Practical Stress Busting Secrets

If you take a look around the world, you'll see that stress, tension, and anxiety impact just about every single one of us. Regardless of who admits to it or not.

Let me ask you a few questions...

• Have you been late to work recently? Did your boss come in and give you crap because he's in a bad mood and you're an easy target? Did you get loads of work dumped on you by others, causing you more stress?


• Have you parked your car somewhere only to find some jerk hit your car with a shopping cart, or some inconsiderate person decided to “key” your car for no reason?


• Have you had to deal with rude customers or people in life, and they've made you feel lousy about yourself through the process?


• Have you been bothered by bill collectors or other debts that are nagging at you day in and day out?


• Are you feeling overwhelmed all around in many different aspects of your life?

If you answered yes to any of those, you're not the only one, at all. Unfortunately, whether you approve of it or not, the world is definitely NOT a fair place. And in many cases, it's not a nice one either. Some even think that it's becoming worse as years go on.

So... why is that?

Well, to put it simply, our lives are growing more fast-paced and action-packed, and because of that, many of us aren't able to learn just how to cope with it. After all, nobody really teaches us HOW to deal with stressors or daily life. In a way, we're just left to power through the issues and drama of every day, all on our own. It doesn't matter what religion, race, gender, age, or anything that you are.

Stress and anxiety hit all of us, and we all deal with them in different ways. There's certainly no shortage of books on the manner and topics of dealing with stress and anxiety. Many even look to the teachings of the Dalai Lama for guidance. In one of his books, he addresses the question of “How do we solve the great atrocities and wars that we face in today's society?” to which he simply responds with “I do not know” and leaves it at that.

One of the points he proceeds to discuss is that there's no simple and straightforward answer to this kind of question. This is because most of the major wars were due to one consequence that unfolded into another, and so on. Until it compounded into a situation where nobody is truly in control and there's no answer to the issues that have arisen. Plus, at that point, nobody really knows why the whole thing started in the first place.

But, how can this happen? How does it get to this boiling point? Well, let's imagine you're driving down the
road minding your own business when suddenly another driver cuts in front of you and this results in you having to slam on the brakes suddenly. Talk about a mood killer! Your initial reaction might be to simply curse the other driver under your breath and continue driving.

But what if you were already having a lousy day? Maybe you lost your job, or you had a disagreement with your significant other. Maybe the bills are piling up and you're losing your house. Perhaps this is the last straw for you on that day. In this case, you might speed up to the driver, and maybe you'll give him the finger, and shout out the window at him, which feeds the altercation. This might end in a car accident or a physical engagement such as a fight.

This could escalate into somebody becoming severely injured, or even dead. Then later one of the family members wants reparations and ends up taking your family or you to court. I know this seems a bit over the top, but it's not far-fetched to believe that things like this happen just about every single day in the world. The reality of it is that you and many others can control the situation's outcome by simply taking control of your emotions and how you feel.

By taking steps to remove the stress in your life or at the very least, controlling it, you'll find yourself to be in a situation where you can better control your reactions to the different scenarios that life throws your way. That's why in this brief but hopefully informative course, I'm going to detail just ten major things that I've found to help reduce the stress in my life.

You can use these however you want, apply them in different ways, and adapt them to suit your life the best way they can. If you want to reduce the stress in your life, then strap yourself in and get ready.

Written by Yola Bastos Co-Founder of Women Flix 

https://msha.ke/yolabastos/

Women Flix, Supporting Women all the way to Success! 

Women Flix Limited, a company limited by guarantee, was incorporated in England and Wales (company no. 13047578 ).

Having the Right Mindset

As you pursue to live off the grid, one thing that you should consider is to develop the right mindset. The spirit of sovereignty and dedication to attain a sustainable way of life is essential to obtain success as you go and choose off-grid living. But, you will not escape from society completely as even the self-sufficient people are obliged to pay the property taxes. 

Living off the grid means various things to various people. Some persons desire modern conveniences & huge power-generating stations. Meanwhile, other people are happier in taking one step back & living with bucolic types of food storage and heating. Going off-grid could be a pricey proposition when you try to replace the modern amenities you have today.

To develop the right mindset, you should weigh all things and make sure that you are fully prepared to live in this way. Pay attention to every aspect that must be taken into account. Look at the benefits that you can obtain from living off the grid. You should have a particular reason why you choose to practice this way of life. Use that reason as your motivation tool to achieve success.

So now, can you imagine yourself living in an off-grid style? If you are really serious about it, start focusing your attention on your goal to have the right mindset!

Finding the Right Place to Live

Living off the grid means you build a home in a place where you would not depend on the utilities available in your community. Instead, off-grid homes use different mechanisms to become independent. Some persons use the phrase “off the grid” when pertaining to living away from governmental organizations. But, in any case, the initial step to take is to find a location for a house that has the ability to sustain itself with no reliance on external assistance.

Finding the right place to live if you choose to live off the grid may not be an easy thing to do.

But, you can get a lot of help by following these steps:

1. Find a location that is situated far from the major cities. Trying to live off the grid inside a busy city is impossible. So try to find a place where you can truly feel that everything will be easy.

2. Look for land that is huge and sufficient for your needs. When you require a big deal of firewood, ensure that you have a wide land where you can get what you need. When it comes to farming, you can grow a big garden or if maintaining farm animals is a part of your whole plan, make sure that you have purchased enough territory for it.

3. You can shop for a residential property that comes with some pieces of the important water equipment you require to live off the grid. It means that you have to search for a property with a well that is in good condition. If you will be able to find a house with an installed septic system, you are one step closer to achieving a comfortable off-grid lifestyle as well.

4. Look for the property with an independent source of power. For example, you may search for a house with a wind, solar, or geothermal system that is already installed. Instead, when you find a certain location where building a house with good south front exposure to install your solar power system, you can integrate power support as time goes on.

5. Select a final location with food sources & emergency services inside an accessible space, especially when you’re not planning to grow an ample supply of food to be fully independent on your own property. Solitude and disconnection are commonly preferred by most people who choose to live off the grid but safety must be a concern as well.

To find the right place where you can truly live off the grid, you should be careful and practical in choosing. Follow these tips to avoid difficulties in selecting the best place to stay to have a comfortable off-grid lifestyle.

Written by Yola Bastos Co-Founder of Women Flix 

https://msha.ke/yolabastos/

Women Flix, Supporting Women all the way to Success! 

Women Flix Limited, a company limited by guarantee, was incorporated in England and Wales (company no. 13047578 ).

The Difference between Positive and Negative Mindset in Surrendering

When you hear someone saying “I Give Up” or “I surrender”, what comes into your mind? Maybe you will say that this person is too weak. They are too weak because they easily give up on their own situation or problem. But, this perception is not always right.

Depending on the person, they surrender because they can either have a positive or negative mindset in surrendering. In a positive way, they surrender one thing because they want something new or they don’t want to hold on to the things they don’t deserve to have.

If you are surrendering because you think that you are doing the right thing, then you have a positive mindset of surrendering. It means that you are very strong to accept reality.

The Difference

For people who keep on thinking that surrendering is an act of failure, you are extremely wrong. This negative mindset in surrendering will never help you to boost your personality. It also affects your daily actions and decision making. Instead of thinking a negative mindset in surrendering, you have to change it into a positive one. How can you do this?

Here are some tips you can try:

• Take Control of Your Brain – Everything in life can be understood. Say, for instance, if someone scolded you at work, it can be because they want you to learn or annoyed with your ignorance. To avoid negative thoughts, just pick the positive reasons. Instead of giving up your work, you have to challenge yourself and identify if it is worthy to fight for or not.


• Write Everything in Your List – Whether you want to achieve a small or big dream, you need to jot it down. This can help you in making things organized. With your positive thoughts, expect that you will get what you really want. Even if you decide to surrender, your mind is at ease and you know that you did the right thing.


• Live in the Present – People who don’t live in the present will never be happy. Say, for instance, if you experienced the worst situation in the past, you don’t have to recall it from time to time. Just use it as your motivation to become stronger. You also don’t have to accept your mistakes to have a better life.


• Accept Changes - Since everything is not permanent, you have to accept the possible changes that may happen. It means that you have to embrace the concept that change is always there. If you can’t accept it, then, you can give up or surrender. But, make sure that you are doing the right move before deciding.

With your knowledge about positive and negative mindsets in surrendering, you are guided on what to do. You can also figure out what makes your life content. Just don’t forget that surrendering doesn’t show your weak points. But, make sure that you have a good reason why you want to give up.

Written by Yola Bastos Co-Founder of Women Flix 

https://msha.ke/yolabastos/

Women Flix, Supporting Women all the way to Success! 

Women Flix Limited, a company limited by guarantee, was incorporated in England and Wales (company no. 13047578 ).