The Art Of Being Me
I started 2022 as I always have, as myself. As someone eager to learn, develop, work and then work hard. Living on and for the high expectations I have for myself, I juggle and maneuver through and towards the goals I set. Oh, I can be so very strict and unforgiving with myself.
I am a businesswoman. I graduated in fine arts, and now I work in childcare in our family business: Hestia Childcare. My mum founded it in 2003 and was a pioneer in Amsterdam by opening the first bilingual kindergartens.15 years later, in 2018, I made the decision that I wanted to carry on that legacy and take over the family business from her together with my brother who is my business partner. Much has happened in the last four years:
THE BUSINESS. THE FAMILY. JILLIAN. I HAVE GROWN A LOT.
As I was moving on and forward constantly, I lost track. I had all these opportunities and resources, but I failed to put them to use and invest in myself and the mindset I needed to reach my life dreams and work goals. I remember that I saw the future so clear and yet so vague. Like a picture that I recognize, but I cannot recollect when it was taken.
I decided to join an FWX Retreat and the weekend I spent with my new tribe was emotional, exhausting, scary, and confronting. It left me feeling vulnerable and naked. Apparently, it was exactly what I needed to become a FutureMaker and let go of the storyless picture version of myself.
I left the retreat tired but revived. I was bubbling with new energy and suddenly, all the advice, guidance from earlier coachings and conversations and my inner knowing aligned and fell into place. I left knowing what I had to do. I left with a new lust for life. I left to master the art of me, the art of being.
I remember wondering how it is possible to 'know' so many like-minded women without having even met them? I felt uplifted and secure. There is a collectiveness in the tribe that is very hard to put into words. Well, at least when I try to explain, it sounds like I am promoting a crazy sect but I am sure others reading this know what I mean. It's powerful. We are powerful.
Today there is someone else when I look in the mirror. I like her and I'm proud of her.
WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR?
Are you living your full potential?
Do you do what you love?
Are you your true self?
Unapologetically?
I try to answer this question regularly when I look in the mirror.
I started 2022 as I always had. I just let myself and my life happen. But after this long-overdue reconstruction, I will be going through the rest of 2022 and the rest of my life as myself, Jillian. Powerful and vulnerable. Strict and forgiving. I have high expectations but I won't lose myself in them. I am kind to myself. I am doing and going after what I want and it makes me happy. I am truly myself. I claim and own my space and place - unapologetically.
I MASTER THE ART OF BEING ME.