I cannot tell you how excited I am to kick off this new week of Be Enough Me Monday with a return to our roots. A return to a list of love and a list of appreciation…for ourselves. I will never forget the emotion of reading the 90 lists that made the first Things I Like About Me so magical last summer. Being able to visualize so many women sitting up a bit taller, feeling stronger, walking with more pride.
And if I am being honest (which I always am), this list could not come at a better time for me. I have not been kind to myself lately. I have doubted. I have engaged in negative self talk. I have even taken out my own frustrations on my family. So today, my list is dedicated to me. To remembering. To the me that I know I am.
Things I Like About Me
- I am not afraid to feel. Some people may not always appreciate this, but I am, and always will be, an open book that allows herself to live the highs and the lows and everything in between.
- I have learned to be a risk taker. I am not sure I have always been a risk taker. Maybe in some areas. But now, professionally and personally, I have pushed past my comfort zones on more than one occasion and am moving full steam ahead, despite naysayers.
- I am a powerful advocate for things that I believe in. Education, students, social good, and people….I stand up for what I believe in and try to help others see that they are worth the effort.
- I am an effective problem solver because of my ability to see the big picture. I am a big picture gal. I am the one that is always reflecting on whether the small details are in line with the overarching mission. I do a lot of questioning. And thinking. And thinking some more.
- I am not afraid to say that I made a mistake. Or to say that I do not know how to do something.
- I am not afraid to start from scratch. I used to be. But I have realized that comparing myself to what I once was, especially when it relates to my running, fitness, or weight, only makes it harder to move forward and make progress.
- I am pretty fabulous when it comes dancing with Just Dance 3. As a member of Team Leticia that took second place at the Type A Parent conference and then First place at BlogHer last year..and the highest scoring member of my family….I am only slightly proud of this.
- I am a life long learner. Social media related topics, educational topics, cultures, history, cooking, skill sets and ideologies. Because the alternative, means being stagnant and stuck in a rut.
- I crave constructive feedback. (See #8)
- I am a dreamer that believes in making dreams a reality. Or tries. Really hard.
- I believe in collaboration not competition. Two heads are always better than one. I learned this in my professional life as a teacher and it has only been reinforced with my virtual life. Being an island is not all that it is cracked up to be.
And there you have it. My list of Things I Like About Me. It is not easy to think about the aspects of yourself that you truly like. Things that don’t have a “but” attached to them. I do have plenty of those as well, but focusing on the good…the things that make me proud of being me, is an excellent reminder.
So…what about you? What are your things? There is no minimum or maximum as far as your list. There is no right or wrong way to put this together. The only important thing is that you BELIEVE in yourself enough to compile the list.
As a special incentive for those that might need more time, the Be Enough Me linky will be open ALL week…as in until Friday, March 2nd at 11:59 pm EST. You have plenty of time to join in the movement. No excuses. No apologies. No sarcasm. Just love for yourself.
xo
Elena
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Why am I not the least bit surprised that we both said we’re lifelong learners? Love your list, Elena.
Missy | Literal Mom recently posted..Random Friday Fun and Games
Love your list! 1, 5, 8, 9 and 11 go for me, too. I’m so glad you invited me to participate again. It’s a good exercise for me, but reading everyone else’s lists is just as inspiring!
NotJustAnotherJennifer recently posted..I Love You Just the Way You Are
You are so right! So much of the inspiration comes from reading everyone else’s lists!
[...] is hosting a week long Things I Like About Me…version two. I made a new list of things I like about myself. A list that reads differently than the one I wrote last summer. A list for the me of now. [...]
I love your list especially #7 but also your ability to see the big picture, be a willing collaborator, and your desire to be a lifelong learner. Hmmm…No wonder why we’re such good friends!
Leticia- Tech Savvy Mama recently posted..Parents Magazine Best Blog Awards 2012 and Tech Savvy Parents on Parents.com
With no “ifs, ands, or buts” xoxo
This is a great list. I struggled with mine, which means it was probably a good thing to do.
Robin Farr recently posted..Things I Like About Me – The Sequel
[...] Just. Be. Enough issued a challenge out last week. Those wonderful writers over there want you to share the things you like about yourself. There was no minimum or maximum, just to do it. [...]
What a great list!
The Drama Mama recently posted..Things I Like About Me
“I am a life long learner. Social media related topics, educational topics, cultures, history, cooking, skill sets and ideologies. Because the alternative, means being stagnant and stuck in a rut.”
I love that about myself as well. Learning is what motivates me more than anything. I also love that I am a great problem solver because I see details that others miss.
Great post and great list!
Jacki recently posted..Blogging Toolbox – Tools For Successful Blogging
Oh yes, I would not survive without being open, willing, and excited to learn new things. I need a necklace (or a twitter handle) that says “work in progress”
Great list!
I am horrible at Just Dance.. I even video taped myself to see how bad I was..OMG it was a sight.
I’m so glad that you brought this back.. it’s something we all need to do to remember why we are great.
Leighann recently posted..Be Enough … Six Months Later
Ha! I have seen pictures of myself dancing— I am not saying it looks pretty, but I do have a great time and somehow the Wii and xbox think I do an ok job!
Such a beautiful list, Elena! I want to do this. I will. Promise! And I’m gonna try to get as many other women to do it as a I can!
Just Jennifer recently posted..OMG it’s been almost 20 freaking years since I graduated high school!!
I am so happy to be back here. Doing this list again brings back a flood of emotions and reminds me of the inspiration that I felt the first time I wrote the list. I remember how excited Elena made me feel, how proud I was of her and how much I wanted to be a part of what she was doing. I love that her list has changed. She is different then she was then, always amazing (even though she does not give herself enough credit) continuously inspiring. Thank you Elena MWAH!!! -LV
Kindred Adventures recently posted..Happy Anniversary to Us
“I am not afraid to start from scratch” – THAT is powerful, Elena. It made me pause and think about many things going on in my life right now with new eyes.
As you mentioned, this comes at a perfect time for me also. The past few weeks had been a really, really dark time for me. Making that list was like a breath of fresh air. A life-saver.
Your list reflects who you are: courageous, inspiring, insightful. And let me add: you’re a beautiful woman, an amazing mama, and a great friend. xo
Starting from scratch is my saving grace. Much love to you my friend, wishing I could give you a real hug!
[...] about you? Got your own blog? Link up your list here between now and Thursday, March 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Don't have a blog? Make a list for yourself [...]
I feel like I am home. Seeing all those buttons on the link up brings back some of the fondest memories I have of blogging and social media. This is the place where it really all started for me. It was the place where I finally got to let go of my anonymity and show the real me. I felt loved and embraced. I learned to write…really write. I learned that the buttons are people. Amazing warm caring kind genuine people. People who I now have come to call friends. JustBeEnough gave me more then anyone will ever know and it is because of this team. I am so happy to be back here linking up!!!
Kindred Adventures recently posted..Our Favorite Five
What the heck…. I seriously have not even been drinking! I totally just posted a second comment and did not even remember doing the first one! Oh well… not the first time. Actually that is a first for even me. I’m with friends right. No one will laugh too hard. Sorry Elena!!! I guess my enthusiasm got the best of me. Now that is not the first time!!!! LV
Kindred Adventures recently posted..Our Favorite Five
I love you–for your first and second–and third comments. xoxoxo If I write any more I might get teary
[...] is doing a link up this week that I am totally psyched about. It’s called Be Enough Me: The NEW Things I Like About Me. This concept of this link up goes back to what I talked about on this blog last November. So [...]
[...] Time for a little positive energy in this hizzle. Did I just write hizzle? Oh yes I did. It’s been a fairly quiet morning. Aside from me worrying about the weather tonight (severe weather is expected in our area) I’m doing quite well. I stumbled upon this on The Drama Mama’s Blog. The original campaign comes from just be. enough. [...]
your list makes me want to run to you and HUG YOU….wow, Elena it’s amazing to know all these things about you.
I am just learning that saying I made a mistake or starting from 0 is not a bad thing but a powerful place to be, in being vulnerable you come to be stronger. You feel just like I do, the open books f the world aren’t so bad since you never have to wonder where you stand with us right?
and I just adore every single little thing that makes you YOU…I feel the kindred spirit that I always have with you and that makes me proud and happy.
YEA for these lists
the feeling my friend is so incredibly mutual. And absolutely right– there is never any wondering.
#4, 5, 9, and 11 definitely hit home, but your whole list resonated with me! It’s been a joy to celebrate Just Be Enough, and participate when I can – this is an amazing community!
Brandi recently posted..Things I Like About Me
I don’t know how to do that link/ badge/picture thing, but you definitely sound likable. And you are a good judge of character!
http://funandfit.org/2012/02/kneeling-core-move-ab-fab-ulous/
Wow, love love this idea! I do a Fun Facts Friday post and may very well use this (and link to you of course).
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Legs, PTand Spicy White Chili
SELF-LOVE! SELF-LOVE!!
Lindsay @ Lindsay’s List recently posted..tuesday trainer – my “go-to” stretch
I didn’t love trying to make this list but I do love having my list now. Felt like quite an accomplishment to come up with 10 things I like about myself! Thanks for initiating this! I look forward to reading other people’s lists and exploring new blogs!
Emily @ Southerners in SoCal recently posted..Lessons Learned from My One-Year-Old
[...] National Eating Disorders Awareness week. I particularly like this exercise/challenge to create a list of things that we like about ourselves. I think that awareness of our strengths is so important for mental health that I will be [...]
[...] What do you like about yourself? Share it in the comment section, or link up your post at Just.Be.Enough! [...]
So my list was short, and kind of hard to uncover. I think i need to spend a little more time focusing on my strengths as opposed to beating myself up for my weaknesses. I’m sure there are more things too… I just need to dig deep.
Ashley @ It’s Fitting recently posted..Things I Like About Me : Just.Be.Enough Linkup
[...] This has been a powerful week at Just.Be.Enough. A week of going back to our roots with a new Things I Like About Me. A week that ends with a powerful story of pain and of experience, told by Martine. Martine de [...]
[...] y’all, I’ve kind of been procrastinating about participating in this challenge. Making a list of things I like about myself is sort of cringe-inducing. If you know me in real [...]
[...] in this week’s Mid-Week Balance round-up, I included a post from the Just Be Enough project. The post invited you to create a list of things that you like about yourself, to counteract all [...]
[...] This week Elena of Just.Be.Enough has invited readers to participate in the second round of “Things I Like About Me”. [...]
[...] This week Elena of Just.Be.Enough has invited readers to participate in the second round of “Things I Like About Me”. [...]