Through writing and finding out late about a disability I didn't know I had led me on to a journey of self-discovery and healing through mindfulness. A mindfulness that would help me to finally understand myself, understand my disability and for the first time.

It was important I took this journey.

The relationship with ourselves is the 'blue-print'

It is the relationship we have with ourselves that sets the blueprint and tone for our relationship with others. It is important to get that right. When we value, love and accept ourselves, we will extend the same values and acceptances to others.

Our relationship with ourselves, sets the benchmark of how we are with everyone else.

Criticism, self-doubt stops us building deep connections

Having spent my life in my own head, no matter the criticism for being slow and slow to learn, innately I never had any self-doubts about myself. My thoughts saved me. For those who don't know about self-doubt, it can if left, continue to spill into how you feel about yourself and with others, stopping you from being able to build deep connections.

Your journey of self-discovery comes when you learn to understand and embrace your imperfections, your mistakes and your flaws. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer someone facing similar challenges.

Invest in yourself

Practice self-care. Invest in yourself, in your mind, body and spirit.

Cultivate awareness

It took me many years to explore and understand who and what my passions were. It was important that I was able to develop and cultivate an awareness of who I was, not who I was through family and external influences.

Through my writing, I am able to do that.

Boundaries

When it comes to boundaries, set your boundaries so that others know your place, what you will accept and what you won’t. Boundaries say a lot about us and our integrity.

Boundaries stop others taking advantage, and of your good nature.