I like to start by looking at the definition of the topic that I'm writing about :

comfortable in one's own skin
(idiomatic) Relaxed and confident in one's manner of presenting oneself and interacting with others; conveying the impression that one has a clear, satisfying understanding of one's own abilities and situation.

We all have that one friend who is so clearly comfortable with herself. She's friendly, she shares her thoughts, stands with confidence, and doesn't seem to have a self-conscious bone in her body. And while that's great for her, if you don't feel comfortable in you own skin, it can be difficult to relate. 

It all comes down to self-worth — feeling that you are truly of value, no matter how you look or act or think or what others think of you. Not feeling comfortable in one’s own skin means not accepting who you truly are—seeing your strengths and weaknesses and learning to embrace them and work on personal growth as needed. Too many of us think 'If I just looked better, were skinnier, were more successful, then I’d feel comfortable in my own skin,' but it’s not about that at all.

Thinking that most women have complexes (including the most beautiful women), who also aren't happy about some parts of their body is kind of comforting. It also shows that we all have our own little struggles and things we don't like about ourselves, which is completely fine.  I think what's important is to accept the things we cannot change and change things we can..  We are way too hard on ourselves and put too much pressure on ourselves.. That big nose, disgusting skins, bags under eyes, fat, huge legs, etc..are mostly ONLY in our heads. Other people don't see it - they probably don't care about it too...

We are trying to be like the influences we see on Instagram, in the movies, on Facebook, etc. They look perfect - skinny with beautiful make up and amazing clothes on.. Look again and put in your head that these are unrealistic images,,, those women have their own personal trainers, dietitians, make up artist, wardrobe advises, and much more time that an average woman has..  and of course money money... 

If you are average women in Australia (size 14-16) you should consider yourself pretty happy. You have an amazing body, legs that take you from A to B ,arms that allow to hug your close ones, and do many other things, and brains which allow you to think...  Maybe your body doesn't appear perfect but if you are a mother, that body gave birth to a life. Isn't that incredible and something to cherish and be proud of? 

Accept yourself and love yourself, there is so many women out there who would give everything to be in your skin.  I know it can be hard to digest but that's true.

I'm very hard on myself too, and I know that it takes a lot to accept yourself but I did,, ,I even like myself too, because you can love someone but not necessary like them.. I love and like myself... 

Make it your new resolution for tomorrow - accept, love and like yourself - you are amazing and unique.

​Iwona
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If you look in the dictionary it will tell you that the definition of friendship is a state of being friends; friendly relation, or attachment, to a person, or between persons; affection arising from mutual esteem and good will; friendliness; amity; good will. That all sounds nice, but it doesn’t cover the fact that a true friendship is a relationship that can survive the test of time and remain unconditional.

Friendship can mean different things to different people. Fro some people it is simply the trust that someone will not hurt you. For others it might be unconditional love or just normal companionship. Whatever your own definition is, friendship is often considered as a mutual and agreeable relationship between two individuals, and that’s a good thing, as it has been said that a person who finds a true friend has found a priceless treasure.
 
Friendship is rarely one-sided though, as it takes two individuals to negotiate the boundaries in a relationship and a friendship will not survive very long if only one person is making the effort to sustain the relationship without any help or recognition from other person. Because it takes both positive and negative experiences to define a personality, it is essential to build your friendships with people who are compatible with you on both an emotional and psychological basis.

The reason for this post today is my recent struggles with people, some I thought were my friends and some possible friends...  We all know the relationships are hard, and it seems a bit like that with friendships too.  I have experienced a number of 'friendships", where I was the only one maintaining and making contact.  I organised bbqs, dinners, coffee catch ups, camping, movies etc... .  After a while I felt used, and  not important to my 'friends'.  It seemed all fine but I missed that input from another person.  What kind of true friends don't make any attempt to contact me? I'm not talking about every day, we are all busy and have our lives and responsibilities (I get that) but how come can you share and post 10 times a day on Facebook but you have no 5 minutes  to message and ask how am I going? Is it too much to ask? I don't think so...

So i decided to stop messaging my 'friends' and see what happens... Guess what? Majority just left it and no contact was made for months .. As long as I kept it going it was all sweet,, but unfortunately one sided friendships don't last very long...  It takes two to tango.. I felt so disappointed , and really gutted. People, who I thought cared about me really cared about themselves only. It hurts, and it hurts a lot.. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...  I built resilience, and learn to keep the people, for whom I am important, and who care for me as much as I care for them. My circle of friends shrank significantly in the last year, but  I feel so much happier to have around true friends.... 

I say NO to people, who only message or call me when they need something, I say NO to people who don't give anything back, I say NO to energy eaters.

We can't choose our family but luckily we can choose our friends... Look around your circle to see who are the people you socialize with? Are they worth being in your life? Or maybe you are the one neglecting the friendships...  maybe it's time to give a little bit more to people you care about?

I'm not saying I"m a perfect friend.. I'm not.. But I try my best to be active in my friend's life as much as I can. 

I compare the friendship to a relationship - if you are not working on it, it will die. It is a commitment and it takes a lot to maintain a good friendships but the rewards are so worth it!!!  

'In the cookie of life, friends are the chocolate chips'.

'Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart - Eleanor Roosevelt

'A good friend is like a four-leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have' -  Irish Proverb

'Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm & constant '- Socrates

Iwona

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Another year, and new's years resolutions, it's like a new beginning..  We find this new motivation to achieve things we failed last year or maybe there is new goals...  1 January comes and it feel like we can move the mountains...

Let's look at some stats.. And a bummer.. they don't look great... About 60% of us admit that we make New Year's resolutions but only 8% are successful in achieving them (pretty sad, don't you think).  Regardless of whether we achieved our previous resolutions, most of us go right ahead and make a new sets- hoping they will succeed this time...

Here are some interesting facts about the New Year's resolutions

• Saving money is one of the top five New Year's resolutions and also in the top five for most commonly failed.
• More than half of people  fail their resolution before the end of January.
• Women make health-focused resolutions while men pledge to find a new job and lay off the alcohol.

It's pretty depressing so far hey.. looks like we don't have much chances looking at those stats above...

In 2019 on the top of the list was diet or eat healthier, exercise more, lose weight, save more and spend less, learn a new hobby, quit smoking, drink less, find another job and spend more time with friends and family.. Sounds familiar? 

Why is is so hard to keep the new year's resolutions then? I believe there is a number of things contributing to the end result.

First you have to realize that 1 January is only symbolic and won't make ANYTHING happen unless you are determined to achieve your goals.  It really does not matter if set your goals on 11 November or 1 January...
The goals itself must be SMART (Specific, measurable, achievable,  and timely). 

If you plan to put aside $500 a week, but after paying all your bills you have $300 left it is already a failure before you start... If you want to lose 10kg and planning to do within a month because you need be size 8 for your next holiday- well another failure ...Remember to plan it well and stick to it.

I don't usually make new year's resolutions,. I try to work on myself all year round and my decision to change something come when I need it,.. I feel I don't need to wait until the new year to start losing weight or save more money, or whatever else it may be...

Whatever your resolutions are I wish you win this race, just remember to plan well!

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. 

Iwona

As of now 6 January 2020  at 6am there is 136 fires, which continue to burn across NSW and more across the country.

It is so devastating and upsetting.. I don't even know what to say, and if anything I say would make any difference. However I feel it's important to talk about it..
People have lost everything in these horrendous fires - their homes, their loved ones and most importantly their souls.. It will take years to recover from this national tragedy. 

We are so lucky to have an amazing Fire Fighters who have been HEROES , LIFESAVERS and MENTORS.  Again, no words to describe these wonderful individuals, who put their life at risk to defend our communities. It is a modern war, war with the nature that we have lost... We must fight to the end and make changes in our environment as the climate change is the real thing, and we have a proof now.. The Government must act, and our Prime Minster better do something about it.

As much as the stories are disturbing, it is wonderful to see  people uniting and fighting together as ONE. There is so many up lifting stories about survival, the crisis not only brings us closer but opens up the areas in our hearts we never knew we had. 

If you have a home to go to, and your family is alive you are richer than you think, and you MUST give back.,,, to those who were less fortunate than us... I am the lucky one for now too. ..
Please open your hearts and wallets, donate- if you can't help with cash, volunteer whenever you can, I'm sure there is plenty of work to be help with. 

We are on the mission to re-build our beautiful country, that will never ever be the same. 

I believe only people's generosity can bring back the faith, and hope to those who lost it together with those burning fires.

Be safe this fire season

Iwona

We just said good buy to 2019 and welcomed 2020 with the hope that it will be better than the last one.. Let's have  a look at some interesting facts about 2019

 The Amazon Rainforest Fires
As of August 29, 2019, INPE reported more than 80,000 fires across all of Brazil, a 77% year-to-year increase for the same tracking period, with more than 40,000 in the Brazil's Legal Amazon (Amazônia Legal or BLA), which contains 60% of the Amazon.

The First Picture Of A Black Hole
On April 10, the Event Horizon Telescope captured the first photo ever of a black hole. The photo looks just as Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity would suggest, as space time is warped by the black hole's substantial mass.

The Notre Dame Cathedral Fire
On April 15, a fire started in the attic of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. The blaze quickly spread throughout the iconic structure. The fire was put out nine hours after it started, just after the cathedral's spire completely burned and collapsed. Authorities opened an investigation, as the cause of the fire is unknown.

New Child (Baby Yoda)
In November, The Mandalorian debuted on Disney+ and with it came the relentlessly adorable Child, whom fans dubbed "Baby Yoda" due to his resemblance to the titular green Jedi.  

'OK Boomer'
In response to the growing distaste between generations, Generation Z as well as some younger millennials adopted the phrase "OK Boomer" to fight back against claims that they "don't ever want to grow up."
"OK Boomer" became a media sensation, with countless kids and young adults creating art projects, merchandise, memes, and videos for what The New York Times described as a "rallying cry."

Star Wars: Eposide IX - The Rise of Skywalker
The final film in the latest Star Wars trilogy, The Rise of Skywalker, premiered December 20th. Rey practices her Jedi training as she faces the First Order as well as questions about her identity. 

The Big Bang Theory Series Finale
After 12 seasons the CBS sitcom came to an end in May.

Atomik Vodka From Chernobyl​
The first consumer product to come from the Chernobyl exclusion zone was announced by scientists in August 2019. The grain spirtit, called Atomic  is made from contaminated rye grain grown on the land. One of the researchers, professor Jim Smith of the UK’s University of Portsmouth, says the product is safe to drink given that vodka is distilled. Scientists want to learn how to use the abandoned land effectively, and the steady growth of rye grain proved there was at least one way to produce clean products from the radioactive zone. 

Gucio Shoes in Australia
From March 2019 a wonderful Gucio Baby Shoes are available in the southern Hemisphere. That should fact no 1 (only joking)

Let's see what 2020 is holding in its pocket! Can't wait ...

Welcome 2020 !

​Iwona