In life, it is important to have a strong sense of self and to embrace your individuality. Instead of following the crowd, you should never be afraid to forge your own path. Staying true to yourself is also a fantastic way for you to build meaningful connections and lasting friendships.
This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot in recent years. I’m not a follower by any means however there are times that I’ve thought “I need to take time out to embrace who I am”. I’ve made changes; I now attend a monthly laughter yoga session and I’ve nearly finished a mindfulness diploma course. I’ve looked within and now I’m looking to embrace and share my individually outside too, for example in the house, in my clothing, and more.
Essentially, it is impossible for you to live life to the fullest if you are pretending to be something that you are not. Below are five ways that you can embrace your individuality.
Personalise your Items
Whenever possible, you should personalise your items and have fun doing it. This is a fantastic way for you to make sure that your identity is a big part of everything that you own. Take a look at your possessions, could they easily be mistaken for somebody else’s? If your answer to this question is yes, now is the perfect time for you to make a change. Luckily, it is extremely easy for you to do this. At Zazzle, you can find personalised phone cases for your technology. You can choose from a wide range of designs. You could monogram your case, include your name, and even use your own choice of image. I like quirky designs personally, something a little different and I plan to embrace this more.
Embrace the World of Upcycling
Already a keen Freecycler, upcycling is next on my list of things to conquer. Your home should be the perfect place for you to be yourself. It should be a reflection of your personality. That is why you should think about adding a personal touch to your furniture. Why not embrace the world of upcycling? This is the process of taking worn pieces of furniture and turning them into something beautiful. You could strip them back, paint them, repurpose them, or reupholster them. You should also experiment with decoupage, mosaic, and stencils. Not only is this a fantastic way for you to explore your creative side, but it can also save you a great deal of money. Instead of paying a huge amount to own the same items as everybody else, why not take matters into your own hands? This will help you to turn your home into an environment that you can be proud of.
Buy Vintage Clothing
If you have a passion for fashion, you may use your clothing as a way to express yourself. However, it is important that you don’t pay too much attention to the latest trends. Often, this can stand in the way of you establishing yourself as an individual. While it is perfectly acceptable for you to do your shopping on the high street, you should also take a look at vintage stores. This is the perfect place for you to find one-off pieces that nobody else will own. If an entirely vintage look doesn’t complement your style, you could limit yourself to a few accessories. Then, you can use them to transform your high street purchases. When you are shopping for new items, try to push yourself. Even if you don’t end up buying an item, you should at least try it on. This will give you the chance to explore new styles and to fine-tune your tastes. I’ve spent too many years describing my clothing style as merely “symmetrical” when I could really enjoy taking things a step further. I need to embrace my own style and run with it!
Do it Yourself
Make sure that you are always on the lookout for opportunities to do things yourself. You should push yourself to experiment with a wide range of flavours, colours, and textures. You could also take traditions and put your own twist on them. For instance, if you love to bake, you could find your favourite recipes and add a different ingredient each time you follow them. Some of your bakes may turn into a disaster. However, some of them may be a complete triumph. The important thing is not to limit yourself. Throwing away the rulebook is a brilliant way for you to let your creative juices flow. I need to allow myself to be more creative.
Create a Mood Board that Reflects your Tastes
Creating your own mood board is a great way to make sure that you stay true to your tastes. Every time that you are faced with a difficult decision, you can return to your mood board for inspiration. Say you are put in a position that may compromise your integrity and force you to be something that you are not. Taking a look at everything that you love will help to put things into perspective. If you create a new mood board every year, it can also show you how your interests have changed over time. I’ve never done this before but I love the idea of it. This could well be my holiday break project.
Now I just need to know where to start!
There are photographers, and then there’s Lucy White. I know first-hand how fabulous Lucy is when it comes to photography, how much she puts you at ease, how she really listens to what shots you want or what style you are trying to achieve. I’ve have already had one set of photographs taken with her and am ready to book in for some more. Lucy has a somewhat unique way of working in that she doesn’t have a studio. She uses the natural beauty that we’re surrounded by here in North Yorkshire to create some truly fabulous shots. For my shoot for example (mine were business photos rather than family) we also took pictures in the local library as well as other places I wouldn’t have thought of. She’s a creative one!
There’s a difference between going to a hairdresser to get your wig chopped and going to Salon 54. I don’t go there purely for my haircut, I go for an experience. From the minute I step through the door I’m a VIP, a special guest and the same is true of everyone who visits. I’ll be honest, sometimes I don’t want to leave!
and wax melts, all of the YRC wares are lovingly handcrafted here in Thirsk and feature in a number of stores and gift shops all around Yorkshire. A small business that has brought joy into many homes, Yorkshire Rose Candles’s aim has been to enhance local homes with beautiful fragrances and it’s safe to say that they’ve succeeded! If you’re looking for luxury at very reasonable prices you’ll be glad you chose Yorkshire Rose Candles!
I dabble in jewellery making. I make beaded bracelets and necklaces for my own use. It’s a hobby and I enjoy it. I know what goes into my own simply amateur designs so when I see the creations that Victoria Bailey of Twisted Fern Designs crafts my mind is blown. Take this 
of our much-loved local businesses. When it comes to handmade home soft furnishings, blinds and more, these lovelies really are the people to contact. Take these iPad/ tablet and phone stands for example, available in a number of fabrics. These are much nicer than a lump of plastic, they do the job and what’s more, they look gorgeous! At just £12.95 for a tablet stand and £7.95 for a phone stand, they make both thoughtful and affordable gifts.
Last but certainly not least, I have to share these wonderful prints from local graphic designer Gemma Symmonds. As a Graphic Designer, creating individual pieces of framed art is one of her favourite parts of the working day. Any personalised artwork is possible from Wellies to Unicorns which means that you may choose something truly bespoke for anyone! Prices start at £35 for a framed A4 personalised piece of digitally created art.