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cancer update

How I’m Getting My Groove Back: 5 Tips On Feeling More Confident

How I Got My Groove Back After Chemotherapy and Finding Confidence

How I Got My Groove Back After Chemotherapy and Finding Confidence
How I Got My Groove Back After Chemotherapy and Finding Confidence

How I Got My Groove Back After Chemotherapy and Finding Confidence

How I Got My Groove Back After Chemotherapy and Finding Confidence
How I Got My Groove Back After Chemotherapy and Finding Confidence

How I Got My Groove Back After Chemotherapy and Finding Confidence

How I Got My Groove Back After Chemotherapy and Finding Confidence
Cut-Out Maxi Dress: Aerie ($35)
Ark Bag: Cult Gaia
Sandals: Loft (old), similar here
Sunglasses: c/o Zenni Optical

Trying To Get My Groove

This week has been a rough week for me. I was feeling good that I recovered so well from treatment, but then Monday came around and I just felt awful. Getting back into the swing of things has been a struggle and my doctors did say it can take at least a couple years to get my groove back. It’s just tough when everyone around you just doesn’t quite get it. At the same time, it’s not easy to explain it to others. I also just can’t say the C-word to clients at work that I’m not that close with. It really is like dropping a bomb when I mention it to people who have no idea.

Some Exciting News!

Anyways, the rough week got me feeling lost. I wasn’t sure if I was worthy. My mood changed when I found out I was in a Huffington Post article! It was a pleasant surprise! I read the section that featured me and it got me thinking about my confidence. Reading what I said and what other incredible breast cancer survivors said reminded me that it is okay to go through tough times, but it doesn’t mean I should lose myself. I really needed that reminder because honestly sometimes the bad times tend to take over. But like I always say, there are always silver linings.

So when I decided to post about this cut-out maxi dress it reminded me how I felt when I decided to wear and purchase it. I was feeling good when I saw this dress and decided to buy it. I’m not a fan of revealing clothes, but if there is any skin exposed, as long as it is tasteful, I’m okay with it. I was excited about being excited to wear a cut out dress and showing some skin. It took me awhile (at least it felt like awhile) to start to feel comfortable with my new body. It’s not all there but I know I’m progressing in the right direction. So what I’m getting at is confidence is something you learn and build on. It takes time and even if you’re feeling good there will be setbacks. Sometimes you need to remind yourself of this.

5 Tips On Feeling More Confident

1. Self Care

Take care of you. If it’s giving yourself a nice long bath, getting a mani & pedi, going on a short getaway, or whatever you want to do that takes care of you and your body that you previously didn’t dedicate time for, do it! You’ll be surprised how much better you feel when you give yourself some TLC. For me, I’m all about adding essential oils to my bath and using face masks (my favorites are the bubble charcoal mask, these set of sheet masks, and mud mask sheet).

2. Be Around The People You Love

Those are the people who will have your back no matter what. They are the ones who are willing to put up with your bad mood. They are the ones who can make you laugh. They are the ones that know you are a good person and you don’t have to prove it. The energy around the people you love is so much different. Everything feels lighter and positive. Being around people you care about, and who care about you, brings out the best in you.

3. Go To The Gym

You hear it time and time again, exercising is a stress reliever. It also helps build confidence. For me, going to the gym is not all about being the fittest or skinniest. It is about embracing what your body is capable of doing. You don’t realize your own strength until you look back and see it. Sometimes working out is the best visual way to see it. You ran “only” a mile, well girl, that is a mile you would not have run if you didn’t push yourself. If going to the gym is hard, for me, going to group classes helps. I love going to Flirty Girl Fitness for a boost of confidence. They have dance classes about embracing your inner sexiness. It doesn’t matter if you look like a fool! It’s about focusing on you! I love taking their hip hop dance classes!

4. Make Lifestyle Changes

Sometimes you have to make slight changes to your lifestyle to feel better. The better I felt, the more confidence I gained. For instance, I had feelings of being overwhelmed, exhausted, and anxious. So I made the decision that I need to go to bed as early as 8 o’clock. So yes, it does mean I have to sacrifice going out to dinner at 7 or staying out late with friends. But overall, it was good for my health. I am able to think more clearly, I am able to fight the post chemo fatigue better, and it gave my body the rest I needed.

5. Wear Your Feel Good Outfit

Do you have an outfit that makes you feel good? Wear it! It is so effective when I’m feeling down. I don’t care if I don’t have anywhere to go. Something about wearing “the outfit” makes me feel good. I mentioned in this post what blogging has done for me and it helped me find my new “feel good outfit”. It takes A LOT of trial and error. Remember, there are so many different styles of clothes. So for sure there will be at least one that is made for you.

Please know that these are the things that helped me build confidence. I know that it may not work for everyone, but I just want you to know that you are worth it. Feeling confident can take time (I know it is still a work in progress for me), but you all have something amazing to bring to this world.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

xo RD

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My two year cancerversary. Sharing my life as a cancer survivor.Two Year Cancerversary. My Life As A Cancer Survivor.

Comments

  7. Ahh that's so exciting to see you featuring in that Huff Post article! Huge congratulations!

    Also, these tips are so important to keep in mind. No matter what someone has going on in their lives, self care is SO important…and yet, so easy to forget about. I've got to say, I've started working out again for the first time in a couple of years and it feels SO good.

    Also – your dress is GORGEOUS!!

    Jackie at Something About That

    Reply

  14. These are such great tips! This maxi looks amazing on you and I love the cut out details. Congrats on being posted in Huffington Post… so amazing!

    xoxo,
    Kim

    Reply

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