After trials and tribulations comes triumph ?????????

Welcome to Pep Talks From Me, To Me a cathartic newsletter where I talk about my journey as a fashion entrepreneur and openly share my reflections with you

This week's thoughts:

• Your current situation is a direct reflection of what you think you deserve?
• Spiritual hygiene is the most important aspect of self-care; it should be practiced daily?
• A sense of urgency is what separates the eternal dreamers from the high achievers

Happy New Year!

January is one of my favourite months. I truly enjoy the spirit of renewal, focus and introspection that comes with it. For some it’s a month of intense planning, forecasting and goal-setting - not for me. I’ve personally stopped writing New Year resolutions about 2-3 years ago as I don’t really see the point in doing them anymore. I have one mission that I’ve been striving to achieve for a while, I have a mooboard for how I envision my life and I set a few mid-term and long-term goals which I am working towards achieving - everything I do feeds into the main vision.?

I was quite sick towards the end of December (as did most of the UK population apparently) so as soon as I could, I made a conscious effort to slow down. It wasn’t possible for me to switch off 100% as I still had some pending work orders to sort out but I tried my best. I do feel somewhat refreshed although I definitely need a whole week off-grid, without digital devices where I can mentally sign off work too (that hasn’t happened yet...March I am running to you).?

The last quarter of 2023 was incredibly challenging. As some of you may know from my previous newsletters, I took part in an incubator programme which took up a lot of my evenings, alongside my demanding work commitments and personal life. I’ve still not come to terms with how I feel about that experience but when I’m ready to talk about it, I definitely will.

Our MVP for TFB STUDIOS has officially been running for 4/5 months now, thanks to an amazing prize we won (more on this soon). As exciting as that may sound, the challenges have been plenty! We are a very small team, with a big job on our hands and it’s not always easy to get things done in a productive way - simply because there is? a lot to do and not enough of us to do it. There are many moving parts involved in manufacturing and supply chain, which often causes delays and other issues but truthfully, I am loving the challenge. As consultants, we are naturally problem-solvers so being able to come up with a circular solution for independent fashion brands is super exciting to me. We’re currently developing a product which has the potential to really change the game if executed properly. The main barrier we are currently facing is investment towards capital expenditure and we all know fundraising is not for the weak! Luckily, I am approaching this year as a whole new animal.?

The intensity with which you operate is a direct reflection of your level of self-belief.

I am aware that we are the ones creating our own lives and that notion drives me to go after everything I believe I deserve, even if I have to put up a fight.?

When I was in therapy I learnt that everything you attract into your life is underpinned by your level of self-esteem. Once you’ve looked at yourself in the mirror and confronted your truth, you have the power to do whatever you want with that realisation. You can either choose to be a victim or turn your pain into power. I chose the latter. I’m at a stage where I wholeheartedly accept me for who I am. I’ve always had self-confidence but when I moved to the UK about 15 years ago, I began to hide parts of myself to fit in and overtime I lost some of my confidence. Now I am who I’ve always been and I am ok with paying the price of being authentic (meaning people will dislike you and they won’t even know why). I’m no longer in the business of being less of myself so that others can feel more comfortable around me. I’m not even someone who would be classed as ‘too much’ so it was really more about trying to understand and adapt to a new environment and then accidentally losing parts of yourself in the process. That chapter is closed.?

If you read my last newsletter, you’ll know my keyword for Q4 was intensity. As I approach the first quarter of this new year, my keyword is urgency. This also feeds into my phrase for 2024 and the title of this newsletter which is “after trials and tribulations comes triumph”. This is the energy I want to carry with me this year. I experienced a lot of challenges over the past year (too many to count, most I can’t even truly speak about publicly). Now I am ready to win and be propelled towards greatness like a firework in the night sky, it’s time.?

Notes to self:?

• With intensity also comes burnout. Prioritise self-care. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
• You have the power to create whatever reality you want to experience, but first you need a clear vision.
• Stillness is important. The best ideas and reflections come in moments of relaxation
• Do not overexert yourself to compensate for anyone else’s shortcomings
• Hold people accountable for their lack of action when it affects your ability to reach your goals
• Remember your favourite quote “Don’t quit. Suffer now and you’ll live the rest of your life as a champion” - Muhammad Ali?

PS - I still haven’t fully come to terms with how life transforming 2023 was for me, wow. That year was definitely one for the books. I’m almost scared, as much as I am curious and excited to see what version of me 2024 will require. Stay tuned.?

Before I sign out, here are some cool things I want to share with you:

• We are on the brink of extinction and the WHO warns us there will be a mental health pandemic. See what spiritual leader Sadghuru has to say about it
• I’ve just finished reading So You Want to Be the Master? by Maponga Joshua III Vhudzijena, a philosophy book for business people. Click to watch my review
• When I'm at home by myself, I enjoy playing jazz music in the evenings, with dim lights, candles whilst enjoying a book for hours. If this is a bit of you, click here and listen to The Yussef Dayes Experience - Live from Malibu
• I have been fasting from the time I wake up until 12PM everyday, being inspired by a Transformation Church sermon on Getting Your Edge Back. If you need a bit of a kick up your a$$ to get some work done, click to listen

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Does any of this resonate with you? Share your own thoughts and reflections with me, I love to hear from you.

Until next time!

Gigi x