Self Love Series: #1 Oh this life journey

Hiya Gorgeous,

It has certainly been awhile since I wrote a blog let alone a lifestyle blog. 

A LOT has happened since the last time I wrote. I had a baby in October, and let me tell you being pregnant and then postpartum definitely paid a toll on my self love psyche. Having a new baby, hormones and everything that comes along with that, can 100% make you feel like your aren't enough or beautiful AND loving you, is set aside.

Now after 6.5 months (uhmm where did that time go..) I am feeling great. I am working on taking care of myself more and more everyday. Along with looking after everything else, I have made it a priority to work out, eat well (as often as possible) and do things that make me happy. Hubby and I make sure we go out at least once a month, just us and no kids, to regenerate and have some fun one on one.

I find that I was so hard on myself as I journeyed through pregnancy, all those habitual thoughts of not being good enough, of being over weight swam through my mind constantly. It hindered some of my relationships and made me feel small. NOT to say that I didn't also enjoy growing my tiny little human but at times it was mentally straining. Doing the best I could to feel good was all I could do. Spending time with family and preparing for my baby bear was what kept my spirits up for sure.

Postpartum - at first I didn't have time to care about what I looked like or my weight, all I focused on was keeping this precious miracle alive. It was amazing having Brayden home with us after a hard labour and 4 days in the hospital. BUT then as the months passed and I was feeling better, those unkind thoughts came up again. We are most mean to ourselves then any one else could ever be to us, I know this as fact. Constantly reminding myself that I was doing the best I could and that my body is an amazing tool to create life in all its glory. SO now that is what I do, and as I kept changing the negative thoughts I noticed something, I can now quickly shift just like I had pre-pregnancy.

It has been quite the journey and let me tell you and its not over yet! With the support of my wonderful man letting me know that no matter what he loves me and my body, I breath a sigh of relief that the only one who is making me feel insecure about my soft belly is me. I am where I am right now, and in this moment I L-O-V-E my body for all that is has done and all it can do. I am fit and strong and will continue to be.

At the end of the day my lovelies, old thoughts show up to heal us. Sometimes it will show up in a big way and others that are easy to shift through. Remember you are doing the best from where you are right now in this moment. CHOOSE appreciation in these moments whether it is about the situation or something else you love, this will help you to keep shifting and moving forward. After all that's what we are meant to do.

Loads of love to you my friends <3

I hope this serves you.

Your Designer,

Amanda Garrett


Check out my blog on Selflove and to know a little bit more about my journey to where I am now.

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Lifestyle: Working through an Injury

Hello Friend,

It has been a while since I have written. 

At the beginning of August, I suffered from a concussion. It seems silly but after hitting my head, not so hard, on one the rides I felt a little sick. BUT, it was the last ride of the day and I thought I was just tired from the 8 hours spent at Wonderland.

Unfortunately not, for a week I felt sick, in and out of work. I went to the doctor the following week, leaving there thinking I had vertigo. Feeling dizzy and nauseous every day for weeks, finally I saw my nautropath and massage therapist who recommended I see a physio therapist who specialized in vertigo.(AND luckily concussions) Here we go, I was going to try anything at this point. I couldn't work out, being an avid runner and yogi, I wasn't able to read any more or do much of any thing without feeling terrible. 

At the end of the day, having a head injury is NO JOKE. Loosing motivation is a huge part and a major symptom. SO here's the thing; head injury or not you can loose momentum in what you're trying to achieve or a routine you would love to keep on track with. BUT life happens, remember that as long as you do a little something every day you can definitely stick to it.  Yes, we fall but the most important thing is we get back up and try again, focus and move forward.

Being told that I could start running/walking intervals and yoga again was music to my ears! Yoga has always been my non-negotiable, but when that even made me feel sick I didn't know what to do and my body certainly has been feeling it.

I am now happy to say that I am back to work full time, still suffering from symptoms but on the mend. Feeling better mentally has made a world of difference with my motivation, seeing others doing what I want (like running) helps me to work even harder to get better. WHICH means lots of sleep and not taking on more than I can handle. 

SO follow people who inspire you to do more, be more and be grateful that they have shown up for you to see it is possible. YOU can do anything you want to and more you just have to believe. Keep going lovely you are most certainly on the right track.

Your Designer,


Amanda Garrett

Lifestyle: When you feel like quitting..

Hello Lovely!

So here's the thing, keeping commitments to ourselves can be hard. We have the best intentions and the perfect picture in our heads of how it is "supposed" to go. The truth is some things are hard, because of habits that have been a part of our lives for sooooo long, to step in front of them can be tricky when they hold on to your left foot like tar. 

The best part is though, you did move that one foot, even just a little. And what does the mean??! It means you've got this for all the reasons you decided to move from habitual tendencies in the first place. Think about why you started, for your family and friends, to feel good, to be able to play with your nieces and nephews or daughters and sons, until you all fall on the floor laughing, (one of my favourite things of all time, just saying). To run with your dog so when you get home he's passed out in his bed well before its time to sleep. Those my friends are good moments!

When you feel like quitting remember why you started, why you even had the thought to move forward. Because you are ready to stretch your wings and soar. Be easy with yourself my love and just pull that foot right out of what was never tar, but just a sticky piece of gum.

I promise to continue to honour myself and share my journey. Even though my 40 day challenge of not over eating is complete, I will not quit, stop or hold myself back. I have never felt more clear and happy. Finally free! I've got this and so do you.

I hope this serves you.

Your Designer,

                                         Amanda Garrett

Lifestyle: What's the biggest challenge right now?

Hiya Sunshine,

Do you have any challenges right now that you know if you just let that one thing go, so many more possibilities would open up for you?

Right now, I think my biggest challenge is letting go of overeating. Body image issues have been a huge part of my life and I know that it all comes down to this last hurtle of being a recovered over eater, not just recovering. 

I was with a friend the other day and she said, "You know I just always have eaten only whenever I am hungry. I never understood what the big deal was, with say an event that had a bunch of free food. Not something that ever interested me". WOW - when she explained about an event that showed up once for her in the past, I got really excited. I loooooove food so much! But it has always been a hindrance in a lot of ways for me. What I took from that is, I know I want to only eat when I am hungry, enjoy and savour food instead of allowing it to control me in a lot of ways.

When something aggravating showed up today, I immediately wanted eat something. I couldn't believe how strong the feeling was. I have been witnessing and paying way more attention to how I am feeling when I think I want food now. This is such an important thing to do! Taking a step back and distracting myself, doing something else makes a huge difference. I'd much rather make a dress then eat my feelings(lol). Not having junk or anything sweet or salty that doesn't nourish my body in the house is extremely important as well.

I made strawberry banana bread and in three days it was gone. So I know I WANT to let go of this overeating emotional habit. EVERY single day I am working on it. I know I can do this, and this is the last that I need to do. Because it isn't about the food, or gaining weight. I love my body. I am comfortable in my OWN skin. It is recognizing when I am eating with my emotions continuing the block, rather than working through my stuff.

Today is a new day and here I sit happy I said 'NO', to a doughnut and yes to me!

Remember, we are all going through something and it is so important to show up for yourself, then you can show up for others too.

I hope this serves you.

Your Designer,

Amanda Garrett

Lifestyle: Guidance for Body Love

Hello Gorgeous,

As a recovering overeater, there are times I fall off. Day to day life can have stresses good and bad. I find that certain tools such as a good book, The Best Diet Begins in Your Mind, about eating with our emotions vs hunger and this meditation Guidance for Body Love, really help to step back and be aware of why I am overeating. It is a battle sometimes but I think the most important thing is to move forward and high five myself for the little victories! I hope this can serve you too.
Strength and guidance Xo

Your Designer,

                          Amanda Garrett