"Sometimes you grow so much that people need to get to know you again"

I read this incredible quote yesterday and it resonated so well with me.

As a business owner, I've gone through so much personal growth over the past years that I had to let go of old ways of thinking that didn't resonate with me anymore. Today I see challenges as opportunities, I focus on progress instead of results, I prioritise learning over seeking approval.

Growth is an important part of any healing journey. When you start feeling better, your perspective on life changes. You start thinking differently, maybe you start talking differently as well. A lot of my clients have told me that for the first time in forever, they love themselves and feel optimistic about life.

However, any transformation also comes with a bit of discomfort. There is a lot of fear/resistance associated with changing your diet/ lifestyle. One of the biggest fears you might have is the risk of being judged, particularly by your loved ones. Friends and family gatherings become a source of anxiety because you might have to explain again and again why you are not eating certain foods or not drinking certain beverages. And not everyone will understand.

But #truthbomb, people will always have an opinion no matter what you do. Understanding that they're entitled to their own thoughts is an important step in moving passed any fear of being judged.

Also, if you are highly impacted by what others think about you, it's time to take a look at your own self-esteem and confidence. I know - it's hard stuff, but trust me, once you're able to come to terms with how you genuinely feel about yourself, you can begin to prioritise yourself more and stand up for yourself.

I'd like to share a bit of my own health journey so you can understand where I come from. I transitioned into a more plant-based diet about 2 years ago and there were a few ups and downs. I used to get comments such as

"Oh you're no fun anymore"

"Stop eating all that grass"

"Are you trying to lose weight?"

"Can you not be normal for a change?"

"You're so picky"

I don't hold any grudges though. I do believe people mirror your own thoughts and feelings. So I guess at that time I wasn't totally confident in what I was doing. I wasn't very confident generally speaking. Change takes time so I took some time to build my confidence and self-esteem.

These days I give zero fucks about other people's opinions on what I eat and I barely get any comments at this stage because I believe with every fibre of my being that what I eat is right FOR ME. Results? All of my friends and family are genuinely interested in what I'm eating as I'm feeling and looking so much better than 10 years ago.

So today, I'm talking to all of you lovely people who are struggling on your health journey because of the fear of being judged/rejected.

Remember why you're doing this. This is your life, your body, your happiness. Tired of being bloated, constipated, or moody? Then choose the foods and lifestyle that your body agrees with and that make you feel your best, no matter what other people say. You are the expert in your life. Plus, you don't owe any explanation to anyone just FYI.

Your loved ones may ask questions and that's great, curiosity is awesome. But ultimately, use your energy wisely and don't argue with people who are committed to misunderstanding you. And if it's time to let some people go, let them go. There are plenty of incredible like-minded souls on this planet, so you will find your tribe. I promise you

On that note, happy healing everyone

Amani