How a Childhood Picture Transformed My Life.
Hi my lovely, I really want to share 1 simple trick that has honestly transformed my life the last few months. It can increase your confidence, motivation, and self-love.
It is so simple and only takes a couple of steps. I really, really want you to give this a read because if It can do for you what it is doing for me it will be one of the best things you have read and implemented in a very very long time. The first thing you need to do is find a... or bonus points for a few, pictures of you as a child, some of your favourites, ideally you want to be between the ages of 3-7.
Once you have them picked out, you are going to take a picture of it on your phone and then you are going to save it as your phone wallpaper or if you have a few, create a collage first and then save it as your wallpaper.
Here are my chosen photo's.... And yes, thanks to my Dads DIY haircuts, my fringe did start from the back of my head 🙄😂
OK now for how you use it and what it can do for you!
1. Reconnect with Innocence and Silence Your Inner Critic
We've all been there—standing in front of the mirror, picking apart our appearance, and letting that pesky little inner critic have a field day. But what if I told you that saving a childhood picture of yourself as your phone wallpaper could help you hush that negativity? Imagine looking at that sweet, innocent little girl you once were and realizing that you'd never let anyone else talk to her the way you sometimes talk to yourself. She deserves kindness and protection, and so do you. By seeing her face every time you glance at your phone, you're reminded to treat yourself with the same fierce love and compassion.
In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, individuals who regularly engage in self-compassion practices, such as speaking kindly to themselves, experience less anxiety and depression (Neff, 2011). So, next time you catch yourself being overly critical, just take a deep breath, look at that picture, and remember who you're really talking to.
2. Inspire Decisions That Nurture Your Future Self
Life is full of decisions—some small, some monumental. Whether it's a new career path, tackling a daunting task, or navigating complicated relationships, doubt can creep in and make us question our abilities. But here's where that childhood photo comes into play again. By consulting that image before making big decisions, you can ask yourself, "What would be best for her?" and "Am I letting her down if I choose this path?"
Research suggests that visual cues can significantly impact decision-making. A study by van der Laan et al. (2015) found that visual stimuli can influence our preferences and choices, often without us being consciously aware of it. So, by using your childhood photo as a moral compass, you're more likely to make choices that align with your true values and aspirations, fostering a sense of protection and motivation for your future self.
This one has HUGELY helped me to remain consistent in my workouts and healthy eating. I look at that picture of that sweet innocent girl and say, if I don't do the workout I promised myself I was going to do today, am I letting her down? and the answer is yes because that little innocent girl deserves to be healthy and so do I. It also works the otherway, if I have been good for a week or two I remind myself that we both deserve a little treat sometimes.
3. Prioritize Joy and Fulfillment in Daily Life
Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's all too easy to put everyone else first and forget about our own happiness. But if you make it a habit to look at your childhood picture each day and ask, "What am I going to do today to make her happy?", you'll begin to prioritize joy and fulfillment.
This could be anything from dancing to your favorite song, spending time with a best friend, painting, drawing, picking flowers, experimenting with makeup, reading a book, taking a pottery class, or even going for a walk in the sunshine. Psychologists have long advocated for the benefits of engaging in activities that bring joy, noting that they can significantly improve overall well-being and reduce stress (Fredrickson, 2001).
For those of us that are busy or tend to prioritise our family and loved ones over our selves, incorporating even small moments of joy into your routine can make a world of difference.
If you are like me, if I asked myself what I was going to do today to make me happy, I would struggle to think of something there and then in the moment. As we become adults we become bogged down in the day to day of life and the simple joys of everyday can be forgotten.
Now if I asked myself what can I do today that would make that little girl Robyn happy, I would probably say:
Dance to my favourite song, Sing at the top of my lungs in the car, sit in the sun and watch the little birds while I make a daisy chain and....of course... play around with glitter makeup! because I challenge you to find me 1 person that isn't happy playing with glitter! - It's not possible! All of those things would make her happy and deep down I am still that little girl so when I do them, they make me happy too. Despite our hectic schedules, we deserve happiness. And remember, it's not selfish to take a little time for yourself—it's essential for maintaining balance and well-being.
Anyway, that's it, A simple childhood picture on your phone can be a powerful tool for building confidence, motivation, and self-love. By reconnecting with the innocence of your past self, making decisions that nurture your future, and prioritizing daily joy, you'll find yourself transformed in ways you never imagined.
