The Holiday
Originally uploaded by 出發

There is a great line in the romantic comedy, The Holiday, "You're supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for god's sake!". It certainly provokes an amount of thought on just how proactive you are being in striving to lead the best life you can for yourself. You don't want to be a runner up in this life- you want to be the star! And it makes perfect sense for you to be the star in your own story: why elevate someone else to be the lead in your life? The fantastic thing about stepping up to the plate and being your own leading lady is that it is a very achievable goal for each and every one of us. There is not merely one description to neatly slip your stiletto clad foot into. Your concept of leading lady is a construct of your imagination, dreams, hope & ambitions. It can be as wild as you wish and the character you envision to be striding into the lead possie in your story is bound to be miles apart from the leading lady your best girlfriends dream up. Taking lead role in your life is about actively seeking out your dreams & making the best of the opportunities you create.

"All the world's a stage ..."

++ You've got one lifetime to get it right. So keeping trying until you get there. Want it bad. Live and breath your dreams everyday. It will help pass the mundane routine. Means to an end, right?

++ Find out what makes you happy. Helping others. Buying shoes. Making your own clothes. Travelling the world. Volunteering. Baking cakes. Sewing pretty aprons. Dancing. Writing stories. Working in the big city. Riding horses in the country. Making music. Learning languages. All of the above? Once you've figured out your stuff, do it! Do it as much as you can, do it in a big, bold, insane way. Make it the main part of your life and remember you are JUST as entitled to spend your life doing what you love as anyone.

++ Try harder. Don't let a lack of experience or the fact you do not have a degree hold you back from being who you want to be. Don't cop out with lousy excuses. Push yourself until it hurts. You CAN do it.

++ Break the mold. You don't have to follow a path that has already been carved out. You really are only limited by your own imagination. You can be a musician and a scientist. You can be a fashionista and a librarian. You can bake cakes & cookies & be a lawyer. You can volunteer to build huts in South America and study nail art & hairdressing. You've just got to dream big and decide to make it happen.

++ Get yourself a role model. There are some really fantastic women out there doing what they love and leading the way. It can be anyone from Angelina Jolie who is a successful actress, mother and charitable ambassador or bloggers like Gilda, Loulou or Gala; girls following their dreams & documenting their journey.

++ Create your own social calendar/circle. Don't sit at home waiting for people and events to come to you. You will almost certainly not find the answer to a pumping social life in your living room. Be a social butterfly, call around your friends & organise get togethers. Look up whats happening in your area & get down to the cinema, theatre, gigs, art galleries, festivals. Be a tourist in your own town... you'll be amazed at some of the goings on you were previously unaware of... & you'll have a whole heap of fun, & maybe even meet a few fine new friends along the way.

++ Commit to inspiring & healthy relationships. So many people get stuck in relationship ruts. It is too easy to get caught up and become used to being surrounded by toxic people who put out negative energy that stops you from moving forward to a better place in your life. If your relationships are crippling you emotionally, work on them & talk through them. If they can not be fixed, reconsider whether this person (or people) deserves to be in your life. Living your best life includes ensuring you enjoy prosperous relationships. Form friendships with people that excite you and inspire you every day!

++ Choose a theme song. A song that takes you to your happy place. Your fabulous place! A song that feels like the soundtrack to your best possible life. A song that excites you, pumps you up and makes you want to get up sing, dance & shout with glee. Play it loud & proud into your headphones and strut your way down the footpath - smile to yourself and let people wonder what your happy little secret is, all the while thinking about your plan of attack to make the world your oyster & fill it with fabulous!


Are you your own leading lady?