7 Steps to Becoming The Best Version of You for a Happier and More Successful Life + Summer Outfit Inspiration

Nordstrom Tie Hem Blouse (Also available in blue) | Denim Skirt (Sold Out. Check out other options below.) | American Eagle Outfitters Bag | Seychelles Platform Shoes | Sugarfix by Bauble Bar Earrings | Daniel Wellington Watch

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I think we’ve all heard this quote: “Be the best version of yourself.”

But have you ever wondered how? Honestly, I have. I have asked myself how can I be the best version of me? After all, that’s where it starts right? You have got to know where you are to know where you want to go. In this case, to know where you want to be or who you want to be.

The past year and a half has been quite a self-discovery for me. Having been married for about the same time now, marriage has taught me to learn more about myself so that I know what I can put in and what I can’t or don’t have to to make my marriage work. This self-discovery is still a work in progress but would like to share some of these tips to become the best version of yourself.

Step 1: Evaluate Yourself (Know Thyself) 

As I said above, you have got to know where you are to know where you want to go. Take inventory of yourself. Take inventory of your strengths and weaknesses. Observe: How do you respond to difficult or challenging situations? How do you respond to “offensive” comments? How do you respond to different types of people? Be mindful of your actions and reactions.

It is probably good to write these things down. By taking inventory of yourself, your actions, reactions, and interactions, you are learning more and more about who you are and you can take certain steps to make an improvement in those areas that don’t make the best of who you are.

Step 2: Take Care Of Yourself

It’s hard to be the best version of yourself if you’re neglecting YOU in the first place. You can’t give what you don’t have. You can’t give internal and external beauty if you’re feeling ugly yourself. You can’t give happiness and joy towards others if you’re feeling sad and lonely inside. You can’t give love if you’re feeling unloved.

Here are some tips to taking better care of yourself:

• Dress up here and there. 
  If you’re working from home like me, it’s easy to stay in PJs and look comfy but ugly all day. So every now and then, I make an effort to wear dressy tops to match my jeans and put on some earrings and fix my hair. If you’re a mom and you’re always on the go, it’s easy to just put on whatever is easy to put on. But take some time to look nice even if you’re just going to the grocery or picking up your kids. You get the point. Dressing nice can do something to your self-esteem. It also helps people convey how you’d like to be treated. The way we dress says a lot about who we are. Be sure to check out my post on: How to Dress for Success Without Breaking the Bank and Why You Should
• Take some “me” time.
  I know this is especially challenging for busy women, especially for moms. I’m not a mom but I often find myself short in time for all the things that I need to do. But it’s important for me to do some “me” time because if I don’t, I feel cranky and not feeling my best. Whatever makes you feel relaxed and at your best, do it. For me personally, it’s my morning meditation. It’s when I get to close my eyes, meditate on the word of God, meditate and speak some affirmations, listen to meditation music for about an hour and a half before I take a shower and get ready for the day . Once I’ve done all of that, I know that my mind and my heart is okay and that my day is going to be okay. So whether going in the tub and reading your favorite book or getting your nails done is your me time, I’d say do it.
• Exercise, get plenty of sleep, eat well, drink plenty of water and take vitamins.
  While writing this, I’m reminded that I need to eat my meal so I can take my vitamins. Later on today, I will be heading out to workout with my husband. It’s funny because I often joke with my friends that my workout is stretching in bed. But working out actually makes me feel good. And not only that, I know it does something for my body and overall well-being. I must admit I’m normally not inclined to exercise, eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins. My husband can attest to that. But again, it’s a step that I take to become the best version of me. After all, if you’re ill, you’re not the best version of you. I can say that for a fact.

Step 3: Stop Comparing Yourself

In this curated world and narcissist era of social media, we often see men and women who seem to be the epitome of #lifegoals, #travelgoals, #marriagegoals, #relationshipgoals, #fashiongoals, #beautygoals, and so on and so forth. Especially on Instagram. We look at these tiny little squares on our phones and often would feel jealous that they have what we want. It’s quite easy to compare ourselves with others. I know I have. So I stopped being on Instagram for a long period of time. We have to constantly remind ourselves that what we see on social media is a lot of times staged. Do you ever see a woman in a ballroom gown in Paris with delicious meals in front of her on a daily basis? No. Because it’s staged. When you look on Instagram and you see a person looking pretty that seems to be living a nice and rich life and you feel jealousy or comparison creeping in, STOP! It’s not real life. For all you know, the person probably likes to wear joggers in person. Not that there’s something wrong with it, but it’s social media and anybody can put anything on there for a show.

Step 4: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

We live in a microwave world. We want everything we want or need to happen in a snap of a finger and when it doesn’t, we tend to get all worked up and stressed out. Don’t. I’ve learned to take a step back and try to look at challenging things in a bigger picture. Do I get it all the time? By all means no. But I now know how to bounce back internally and put things in perspective. Do the same. When you encounter seemingly difficult things – pause, think, pray and ask for grace. Trust me, when you stop worrying about things, you will feel your best. Have that “I got this” kind of attitude.

Step 5: Always be grateful

Gratitude does something good for the heart. And this is not the kind of gratitude when everything is going well only. Being grateful during difficult times is when you need to be grateful the most. Gratitude takes your focus off of what you don’t have and makes you grateful for what you do have. Count your blessings. Sometimes it may seem like your life is a constant struggle but if you take inventory of what you have, including friends, family, breath of life, roof above your head, etc, you will feel blessed and as you feel blessed, you will be more blessed. Gratitude will make you be the best version of you because trust me, no one wants to deal with an ungrateful person. Whenever you’re grateful, other people will sense it and would want to do more for you.

Step 6. Work on Your Peace and Joy Level

Peace and joy is an inside job. You can’t expect to be the best version of you if you’re unhappy and always grumpy. I’m sure you know that there have been many cases of rich and famous people who have taken their own lives because they feel empty inside. Money can’t make you happy. Material things can only give us a certain satisfaction for a certain period of time but it will eventually fade away because we’re not made for that. Acquiring material things isn’t our purpose. Learn how to be happy and peaceful inside despite what’s going on – good or bad. I’m not saying this from an empty place. I’ve had to learn how to be happy and peaceful inside in the past few years. It’s a process but the more I practice it, the more I get better at it. But I must say that I can’t do it apart from God. I can’t do it apart from His love, grace and mercy.

Step 7: Live Your Life Purposely.

You can’t be the best version of you without a purpose. Each one of us has a purpose in this earth. Discover yours. Some find theirs sooner than others. But we can’t wander in this world aimlessly. When we live each day purposefully, that’s when become our best, because we’re living our lives the way we were created to live it. Take some time to ask yourself what you can do, what are you good at, what you can contribute, etc. Chances are, that’s your calling. God has gifted us with  inner abilities and using those is usually what He’s called us to do.

Hope that this post is helpful to you. I’m looking forward to seeing the best version of you!

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