It’s past midnight and I’m supposed to be asleep.
Instead it’s one of THOSE nights, the nights when I can’t turn off my brain, my thoughts twisting and turning in a fretful snarl. It’s easy to let the whispers in on those nights- the nagging self doubt, the “I’m not good enoughs,” the “I need to be betters,” the “I don’t deserves.” If I’m not careful the whispers become voices. And the voices become shrieks.
On these dark nights I ask myself- are you REALLY happy? Do you even know what it feels like? Have you lost yourself in your work? In your children? Have you really ever known who YOU are?
This year I’m coming out of the darkness.
I’m not lost. I’ve been here all along.
It just took some lovely friends to help me find the light.
One of the amazing, AMAZING things that has come with this whole blogging thing has been meeting other like-minded, fiercely creative, authentic women. Women who struggle with the same feelings, harbor the same hopes and fears, nourish the same dreams. I’ve joined a few of these women today in a year long project called Bold. Brilliant. Beautiful. You. Together we are sharing our vision for how we are planning to be bold and step out from behind the lens, projects, and mama status to show ourselves this year. That’s right, we’re doing something just for us. Because we are worth it. And so are you!
My plan?
It’s simple, really. Stop looking outward to find me. I’m here, and I’ve always been here. Quiet the mind, nurture the body, and the soul will blossom. That’s my mantra for the year. Stop imagining who I should be, who I could be, and BE ME already! How exactly will I do this? I’m still working that out. It’s a big job. But I’ll be back to share what’s working (and what’s not) and to challenge you to grow along with me. Because we only get one life, and we’re all in it together.
Join Us!
That’s right! Each of us (yes, even you!) has something bold, brilliant and beautiful inside. The #boldbrilliantbeautiful project is a support group for all of us seeking to be real and vulnerable. No judging, no questions, just support and words of encouragement.
Your first challenge:
Snap a photo of you, a selfie, upload it to Instagram and add the hashtag #boldbrilliantbeautiful. You can declare your aspirations for 2014 or just show the group your sweet face. We want to see you, to learn about you, to encourage you on your own #boldbrilliantbeautiful journey. Be real. Be strong. Be YOU!
Are you up for it?
Be a part of the project by using #boldbrilliantbeautiful on instagram and twitter to find other women like you, who are looking to make 2014 their best, most authentic year yet!
imagine gants • casa crafty • Made with Moxie • Rajovilla • The Southern Institute • small + friendly
Kids Stuff World • Classic Play • Buzzmills • Even If Nobody Reads This • Maker Mama • Twodaloo
I am so very happy that you are discovering your bold brilliant beautiful self! Here’s to a year of discovery and happiness! You are amazing (and adorable)!
Thanks, Carla! I’m kinda partial to you, too 😉
beautiful, Stephanie! So happy to be a part of this with you. Maybe we’re never really lost, although we feel that we have lost ourselves. I think we have just lost our way and now we are finding our way back!
Thanks, Jenny! I think you’re right. Glad we are on the journey back together!
love your photos!
Thanks, Abby! 😉
I had one of those sleepiness nights and I don’t feel very bold or beautiful but I do feel inspired! Looking forward to seeing where this takes you and maybe if I’m daring enough, I’ll join you guys on this adventure…..
Yay! Please do, Ana! And from the outside- you are both bold and beautiful 😉
Bold, brilliant, beautiful…yes indeed, all words I’d use to describe you! I think this is going to be a big year for personal growth for a lot of the wonderful people I’ve met through this blogging adventure…great to see such a positive challenge to do it all together.
You are so kind, Jessica! Thank you so much! Bring on 2014!
Stephanie- You’re adorable! I can’t let out enough cheers for your mantra. (Ex)claiming yourself won’t happen at once, but rather blossom!!
I started by exploring things that I was passionate about before becoming a mom and wife. The little things I let slip by the wayside to focus my time on building a family- some of them were really silly and things I have since out grown… but there are others you’ve not outgrown. What if its not something you’ve yet to do but always aspired towards? You’re genius has been with you this whole time. Can I help you scream it from the roof tops when you find it?!
Here’s to you embracing the Bold, Brilliant, and Beautiful you today and everyday here forth!!
Wow, what a wonderful comment, Jenelle! Thank you so much for the encouragement! I’m so happy to have met you through this project and can’t wait to get to know you better!
Stephanie! So so cool! What you wrote for BBB, particularly, “Quiet the mind, nurture the body, and the soul will blossom,” made me say, “Yup!” in my head. I like that you have so much going on and yet are able to share so much of yourself on this blog like our other BBB ladies! Great stuff!!!!
Thanks, BP! I was poking around your site today and your writing just blows me away. Can’t wait to read more about your journey as well! I think the “quiet mind” part of all of this is going to be the most challenging for me. I seriously go a mile a minute most of the time. It’s exhausting!
What an honest and wonderful post. I’m excited to see what you ladies have in store for 2014, and I love your motto.
Thanks Shaunna! Hopefully I can put it into practice!
This sounds like a wonderful project, Stephanie! I don’t know about you, but I find that my 30’s have been so much better than my 20’s in terms of personal growth and learning about myself. I think 2014 is going to be a good year for you, and for me, and for all of us who are on the path to what really matters in life.
Absolutely! I was still such a child in so many aspects of my life when I was in my 20’s. Heck, I still feel that way now at 33, but I definitely feel like I’m ready to take on this journey a little more. Here’s to finding what matters!
I think we will all always feel at least 20-30 yrs younger than we really are
I feel like that last picture really captures the Stephanie I’ve gotten to know over the past year. Full of life, energy, wit, and just enough feistiness to keep things interesting.
Haha! Feistiness 😉 That’s my new word. Thanks, sweet friend!! That means so much coming from you!!
Woman . . . I am lovin’ these photos! I also ADORE, ADORE, ADORE (can you tell I mean adore) the idea of doing something for yourself! And your mantra of just being you already is spot on. I am inspired to see where this takes you, Stephanie, and I’m excited to be along for the ride my friend!!!
Thank you, sweet friend! You know I got nothin’ but love and admiration for ya. You are definitely a strong, brave, smart, capable woman and Mama yourself!
Stephanie, in just a few months, I’ve learned so much from you that has really helped me understand and enjoy my toddler more and has truly enriched our time together (Small Worlds with Safari Ltd. TOOBS = life changing). Now what I’d love to know is what I think you’re talking about - when/how do you (impersonal you) stop scrolling through Pinterest, step away from the computer, and do something for yourself? When does giving your child everything mean giving him or her some space? I’ve found so many wonderful ideas on the Internet that it’s hard to remember that sometimes my kid just wants to play with his mini dinosaurs for a week straight. I’m now trying to walk that line between expanding play and controlling it, and I’d love to have your help.
I am really, really looking forward to getting to know you better as a mom and a speech pathologist AND as someone who, I don’t know, has collected garden gnomes since high school
Spot on! I feel like I need to work on the same thing….stop trying to figure out who I am and just BE who I am. I love your mantra for the year and look forward to following along on this awesome challenge!
“Stop imagining who I should be, who I could be, and BE ME already!” - Yes yes yes! Great post, looking forward to seeing where this wonderful project takes us this year. Glad to have joined up!