Despite the vast strides made by women and the women’s rights movement over the last 50 years, the fact remains that society – the workplace, the media, the home – is unfair to women. It can be pretty disheartening, to say the least.

And I want to acknowledge all of us who know that it’s our responsibility to ourselves, our daughters, our mothers, our sisters not to bow to outside pressure but to live up to our fullest potentials. Wherever you are in your life, now is the time to take the reins and steer yourself where you want to go. There may be obstacles, but you can be happy, healthy, and see growth in everything.

Step 1: Let Go

The first step to self-fulfillment is releasing the burden of victimhood. Feeling like a victim robs you of your power to make yourself happy; it cedes control to the person or people who you feel hurt by.

In my own life’s history and through my work as a Body Image/Weight Release Coach, I have seen all matters of abuse and terrible circumstances. But no matter what the injury is, my students and I have had to move past them in order to move forward on our own terms. So to do that . . . 

Step 2: Self-Empowerment

The first way to take ownership of yourself and your potential is to make peace with your body.

Every woman I’ve known takes issue with something about her body and/or appearance. How can we not? The media bombards us with impossible to achieve ideals of beauty and then sells us ways to “fix” ourselves. We all bought the nasty lie at a very young age that our bodies are a reflection of our insides; of who we are.

Start by learning the joy your body can give you through movement and nutrition. Turn to whole foods rather than packaged. Take a walk with a partner every day for a minimum of 30 minutes. Buy a juicer and try making green juice. Your cells will love you. Go to low cost or free events at a city or county recreation center. Not only will you be feeding your self-esteem through movement, but it’s also a great way to connect with others.   You never know who you’ll meet, be it a potential partner or an in for your dream job.

Step 3: Keep a Journal

Time for reflection is essential as you move forward towards your goals. Keeping a journal is a great way to give yourself time and literally space (on the page) to remind yourself what you want and what steps you’re taking to get there. It’s a place to track the progress you're making and to sort out what might still be holding you back.

Step 4: Stop rejecting your body

When you are being criticized, how do you feel about yourself? Our bodies feel the same way. They respond through depression and under-functioning.  Our body needs love, not criticism.

If you cannot love your body for how it looks, then focus on the function of each body part. If you despise your legs, spend 1 minute every day honoring the function and how they get you through your life.

Step 5: Focus on the Positive

We convince ourselves that life begins and true happiness will be found after we’ve achieved our goals. BE HAPPY NOW and accept what is now. What we focus on expands. If you focus on how much you dislike your body or your discouragement with a job hunt, guess what keeps showing up? When self-love is present, anything is possible. Goals materialize and a state of peace and contentment becomes the norm. How are you focusing on the positive in your life? I would love to hear some ways you stay empowered despite any outside noise. Please comment below.