During a time when I was somewhat critical and grumpy with myself, I stumbled across a quote that basically said ‘would you ever be as nasty to a friend as you are to yourself?’. Oops! I never thought about it like that before. Reading this literally stopped me in my tracks and made me realise that whilst there is always room for self-improvement, being so hard on myself is hardly a way to get there. What is it about us women that we are so incredibly tough on ourselves, anyway?

Just like we spring clean our homes or treat ourselves by buying something new to celebrate the onset of a new season, it’s an equally good idea to spring clean our minds and thoughts from time to time.

Why not make use of the approaching summer to start looking at life afresh; where we are kinder to ourselves (which will naturally flow over on how we treat others), are bold, fearless, embark on new adventures, see the beauty in the everyday and not take ourselves so very seriously.

We found a couple of good quotes to start us along in this journey.

 Live on the edge

Security Is Mostly A Superstition. Life Is Either A Daring Adventure Or Nothing. – Helen Keller

Perfectly Flawed

You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.― Amy Bloom

Be resolute

Expect problems and eat them for breakfast. – Alfred A. Montapert

Never boring

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. ― Marilyn Monroe

 Go girl

You are more powerful than you know and they fear the day you discover it. – Wonder Woman

Never give up

If you’re going through hell, keep going. – Winston Churchill

Be unique

People will stare. Make it worth their while. – Tom Ford

Strategise

Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends? – Abraham Lincoln

Add colour

If you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack. – Coco Chanel

Be one

Love is blind; friendship closes its eyes. – Friedrich Nietzsche