dear self - your happiness is before you not behind you

happy monday lovers
this month's #dearself post and the blog’s first guest post, comes to us from my darling friend and all around gorgeous human - Gemma Stanton of the blog namastegem.

look at you! you beautiful thing! all those nights up late, sobbing, listening to yet another taylor swift tune. but you know what, what about those times when the smile couldn't be wiped off your face? the times that you had that overly exuberant feeling to just say exactly how you feel to someone. to connect and bask in the beauty of the moment. you've had so many of those moments and you will, again and again and again. your happiness is before you, not behind you.

as long as you are given another day to wake up to, you have another chance to spin these beautiful, rare, unique and eccentric talents you have to use out in the world. you have roller coasters to ride, bridges to burn, cupcakes to ice, men to fall in love with, yourself to fall in love with, bacon, sugar, chocolate, love, the sparkly emojis, long hugs, swims in the ocean, songs to sing, people to meet for the very first time and so so many tears and smiles to be had.

your happiness is before you, not behind you, you wild, raw, real, unique, talented, brilliant, sacred, rebellious soul. in this life remember that no matter where you go, there you are. and so are the past moments, etched into your skin. the bag full of bones you've been blessed with. what a beautiful bag full of bones you are. go and shine on and on and on. bring happiness to those around you. give others the permission to shine in this world, through letting your light shine.

dear self - your happiness is before you, not behind you

and i'm so excited for you

photos by mrtimothyjames    |    words by gemma stanton

Want to share your own advice to yourself? just use the #dearself on social media and share it with others so that we can all build each other up.

If you have a suggestion for the next 'dear self' installment leave it in the comments below and you just may see it the series. 

much love xx

dear self - you are strong

when you were growing up, your parents raised you to be your best self and they encouraged you to chase your dreams. they picked you up when you fell down, they praised your successes and helped you learn from your mistakes. they believed in you more than anyone else, they saw your potential, they nourished your creativity and they loved you for you.

you grew up and people started telling you differently, they told you that you were just like everyone else, that the things that made you special made thousands of other people special too in turn making you average. they told you that your dreams were risky, that your creativity was never going to pay off and that your mistakes define you.

that's when you made your first big mistake, you believed them. you see they were a test, they were put there to challenge you, to make you fight harder, run faster and trust yourself more. sadly, you listened to them, you started forgetting the things your parents taught you, you started thinking that you shouldn't shine as bright because it would make you stick out.

self, there's something i want you to know -  you have the power to beat the odds, to overcome any and everything that comes your way. you may have to fight for your dreams, you may make a few mistakes along the way, but never give up.

dear self, you are strong.

i hope you like this new segment on the blog - #dearself - each month there will be a new print which will be a reminder/note to self. i believe self empowerment is so necessary in order to be your best self and reach your full potential, if you don't believe in yourself - why should anyone else. it all starts with you.

if you use this print, i'd love to see how you style it/where you place it to remind yourself daily of your strength, so share it with me using the hashtag #mrtimothyjames on social media.

if you could give yourself one piece of advice what would it be? want a #dearself print of your own? leave me a comment below and i will do my best to incorporate it into the series. 

with love timothy xx