If you read our newsletter at the beginning of this month, you will know that in order to develop your self-esteem and self-assurance, you need to break free from the opinions and expectations of others and instead live in a way that is authentic to you. Knowing what is and isn’t right for you and your family, however, is not always easy to determine. This blog post will help you to start that journey with five easy steps.

1. Recognise Your Uniqueness

There is little point in comparing yourself to others or living by their rules and expectations when you and your family are unique. You have different circumstances, personalities and values. Just taking the time to sit down and consider the unique position you are in and how you differ from those around you will help you to break free from the idea that you “should” be living a certain way and help you move towards deciding what’s best for your family.

2. Decide YOUR Priorities

Spend time as a family talking about what is most important to you. Tear up the rule book and think about what matters most to each of you and what you as a family want to prioritise. Step away from anything that doesn’t fill you with joy or leaves you feeling obligated. Together, discuss why you have your priorities and if any of those reasons relate to expectations from society or because it’s the way other families do things, reconsider its inclusion.

3. Look At The Evidence

When we live our lives by other people’s rules it doesn’t tend to end well. One of the ways you can start building confidence and identifying what works for you and your family is to look at the evidence. What’s gone well and why? Where have things gone wrong and why? Think about the times when everything seemed to just flow and felt aligned and try and identify why that was. By looking at the evidence, it will help you stay focused on what works for you and build your confidence because you know that it’s worked in the past!

4. Mind Your Language

When making decisions or discussing options, look out for words such as “must” and “should” creeping into your language. These suggest that you are operating under some obligation rather than being authentically you. When you notice them appearing, ask yourself why you feel you “should” do something or behave in a specific way – you might be surprised what it reveals.

5. Recognise The Difference

Sit down and ask yourself what it is you want to do and what it is others are expecting you to do. Acknowledging the difference will help you to see where you are holding back and why. Recognising the differences between your desires and your perception of what’s expected, will also calm that inner voice and stop it freaking out quite so much when you realise that what you want is different and go ahead with pursuing it.

Ultimately, this is your life, no one else’s, and you only get one chance at it. No one else can know what’s truly right for you and your family. Trust in yourself that you know best.

What is it you really want from life? Are you going for it or holding yourself back?

Start your journey today – achieve confidence, balance and clarity for an easier, happier life!

Empowering Mums is on a mission to empower a million mums and mumpreneurs just like you with greater confidence, balance and clarity to activate your infinite capabilities within! Enabling you to enjoy an easier, happier life alongside running a highly successful business. Aligned with enjoying time out for an essential self-care routine that fulfils your own needs and delight in quality time spent with your children being the mum you really want to be!

For further support please contact Empowering Mums today on 01606 334 015, alternatively visit our website at www.empoweringmums.com for more information.