Set Yourself Free
Woman & Home|August 2019

When you liberate yourself from the ties that bind you, you'll never look back.

Christabel Smith
Set Yourself Free

We can all relate to Freddie Mercury blasting out I Want to Break Free – deep down, who doesn’t want to shake off their shackles and soar towards a world with no limits? But somehow it just isn’t that easy. We put it down to our past, other people or circumstances, but the truth is, all that’s holding us back is the voice inside our own head. Happily, we have the power to shut that nagging old parrot up, and listen to something much kinder instead. Follow these ideas to make a start.

1 STOP SABOTAGING YOURSELF

Do you sometimes feel you’re your own worst enemy? Perhaps you buy that bag you can’t really afford, eat doughnuts after a workout at the gym, wake up hungover before a job interview or put off saying yes to a potentially exciting date. Coach Kim Morgan says self-sabotaging behaviour is unintentional and many people use it in a misguided attempt to protect themselves from difficult experiences and emotions. The way through is to understand what drives your behaviour. You may feel deep down that you don’t deserve that fulfilling job, healthy body or loving relationship.

- DO IT Write down examples of happy relationships in your life past or present, work successes, times you’ve felt good about the way you look. It’s the first step to turning negative beliefs positive, which, in time, leads to stronger self-belief.

2 GET RID OF PESKY ANTS!

This story is from the August 2019 edition of Woman & Home.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2019 edition of Woman & Home.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMAN & HOMEView All
Welcome to ENGLISH WINE COUNTRY
Woman & Home UK

Welcome to ENGLISH WINE COUNTRY

Ellen Himelfarb discovers palate-tingling wines and warm hospitality among the sunlit slopes and flint villages of Sussex

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2024
Naturally STYLISH
Woman & Home UK

Naturally STYLISH

Combining mindfulness ideas and natural materials, this country house - built by Lisa and David Wallace – exudes beauty, calm and serenity

time-read
2 mins  |
June 2024
Make ANXIETY Your superpower
Woman & Home UK

Make ANXIETY Your superpower

Embracing worrying thoughts might be more beneficial than suppressing them, says Samantha Wood

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2024
I hope the kids have my self-confidence
Woman & Home UK

I hope the kids have my self-confidence

Author and presenter Richard Madeley reflects on the early days of parenting, and watching his family grow

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2024
Love..OR LIES?
Woman & Home UK

Love..OR LIES?

Romance fraud is, sadly, on the increase - meet two women affected and find out how to stay safe

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2024
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A...PROBATION OFFICER
Woman & Home UK

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A...PROBATION OFFICER

Meet Sarah Port, 40, deputy head of the Probation Delivery Unit in North Essex

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2024
Could YOU live on your PENSION?
Woman & Home UK

Could YOU live on your PENSION?

Surviving on the minimum retirement living standard for a week shocked Faith Archer into increasing her contributions

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2024
We're having a FASHION moment
Woman & Home UK

We're having a FASHION moment

And long may it continue, says Wendy Rigg, charting the rise of midlife fashion

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2024
There really is NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Woman & Home UK

There really is NO PLACE LIKE HOME

But when Yorkshire-woman Sharon Wright fetched up in Surbiton, which would hold that special place in her affections?

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2024
Older & bolder
Woman & Home UK

Older & bolder

One of our favourite comedians, Helen Lederer, has finally sent imposter syndrome to Room 101

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2024