Recent art journal collage...
Ever hear someone say they are putting their big girl
panties on? I have. At times, I say it myself, actually.
Big girl panties (figuratively, of course) get put on when
the going gets tough—in those instances where potential outcomes are feared—at those times when it feels uncomfortable to venture
forth. In essence, "big girl panties" represent my cue to stand tall,
be firm, wear my red badge of courage, own my truth, embrace my own self-approval over anyone else’s, openly show the world I respect myself, and step up to the plate... Whew!
In other words, this old cliché has a myriad of applications to
it—depending upon the situation at hand...
Here are some ways I’ve found to make it easier to slip into my big
girl panties. Thought they’d be
fun to share:
- Tap into the power of deep breathing;
- Refer to Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements; strive to live by them;
- Affirm myself;
- Act as if;
- Proceed in doing what makes me uncomfortable;
- Reference a mantra designed to keep me on track (e.g. “No regrets” or “Self-authored”);
- Grab my journal and work things out;
- Treat myself as lovingly as I would my own child;
- Be mindful before reacting; and
- Don’t worry about the “fit.” Rather, rely on your “gut” (a.k.a Wise Self or intuition) to guide you in getting your big girl panties on--in the way that suits you best!
Joy and peace.
T.
