Wow, I’ve been receiving messages daily regarding a post I put out on facebook about the book I’m wanting to publish. Messages of support & women all over NZ sharing their stories with me, which is amazing. Also a couple of people have asked, why am I wanting to publish a book like this….
So, I thought I’d share a bit about my own personal story with you all and why it means a lot for me to do this for other women out there.
Above is a before and after photo of me…the same person, yet at the same time, two completely different people. I left school at 15 to work full time as I just didn’t feel school was for me. I became pregnant with my first child at 17 years old and although my partner and I were so happy and excited to be having this baby together – there were plenty of people out there who disagreed and made it known. I had the support from my parents, but many said I had ruined my life, that I will never be anything, and I let their words affect me and how I saw myself as a person.
As time went on the relationship with my partner also became a very unhealthy one and one that wasn’t the best environment for any child, I wanted so much more for her and for me.
When my daughter was three, I made the decision to do something with my life, to be able to give her a better & happy upbringing, so we moved 10 hrs away from my support crew (my family) to Palmerston North where I studied photography full time for two years. This wasn’t an easy time as I had no confidence and experienced anxiety attacks regularly, something I felt showed up, due to me ignoring things I had gone through in the past and constantly pushing it down, so I didn’t have to deal with it. When she was five we moved to Tauranga in time for her to start school. This is when I started to really work on me, changing my mindset and the language I used towards myself and others. I wanted my daughter to grow up happy and have the belief and confidence in herself, and she was only going to learn that, if I felt that way about myself.
Am I still working on myself – hell yes! I am one project I will never stop working on. I have been able to acknowledge, accept and forgive all that happened in the past which has helped me move on in life.
I want women out there who are going through or have been through some really shit times to know it doesn’t need to stay that way – you have the strength to get to a better place in your mind and in your life.
I now have the confidence and belief in myself to know what is right for me. I don’t care anymore what people say or think about me, but at the same time, I care so much about others, that I want to see them do what they love and live it however they choose to.
We only have one shot at life, so it’s about making it as good as we can.
Working to change your mindset isn’t an easy journey, however just like exercise, the more you workout, the more change you notice in yourself – the mind works in exactly the same way.
I truly believe that the women who will be sharing their stories in this book, will be helping many other women in similar situations. It will give them the hope that they need, to know life can be different, life can be good and that they too, have the courage and strength to make that change for themselves.
I’m now a mum to four amazing kids and each and everyone of them bring so much joy to my life. I get to do what I love every single week and I am surrounded by so many amazing family & friends who support & believe in me.
So this is why I am wanting to create this book, because I’ve been there, I got through it and I know many others can too.
If you have a story that you feel will make a difference in someone’s world, please PM me and I will send out the questionnaire so I can learn more about your journey.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read a bit about my journey.
Char xx