Much love, Shaudeh Farjami

A freshly twenty one year old. How can you trust me for advice on how to navigate the your twenties? Even though I am only a year deep into my twenties, I can assure you I know the ins, the outs and the full blown loops. A year and a half ago, I set out on my own health and wellness journey. My journey is still ongoing and I continue to share it with you via Much Love, Shaudeh.

In essence, I set out to create the dream life. With the utmost confidence, I can affirm that the life I am living today is a full 180 degree flip from what it once was. It is incredible what can happen when you believe in yourself, work hard, and most importantly, practice gratitude. I have changed my trajectory and I strive to share how you can do the same.

A year and a half ago, I did not take care of myself. I despised my body, I was the farthest from kind to myself, I settled for unhealthy relationships and I had terrible mental health. Worst of all, I did not think of myself very nicely. In other words, my self-esteem was at rock bottom.

That is to say, a 180 turn around was not an option at all. It was a necessity, for the life I was living could no longer be maintainable in a healthy way. I was so blinded by my unhealthy habits that I was convinced I made it to the dream life. I created this platform in hopes that no young girl in the future would find themselves warped in the spiral of habits that consumed me a year and a half ago.

In the last year, I forged life long friendships. That goes to say that there is a year’s worth of new additions and relationships to my circle that do not know how or why I started this platform. This platform is a whole lot more than what meets the eye. It is not one of those health accounts with workouts and recipes, it’s not a daily journal, it’s not a portfolio. Much love, Shaudeh, caters thoughts, advice and lifestyle conversation anchored towards self-growth and signed off with love.

It was not until I turned 20 that I looked my reality in the eyes. Straight on. From then on out, I set a goal to take care of my body, my mind, and my heart. I could not retain this downward spiral of dwindling habits any longer. I lacked creativity, I feared fueling my body, I exercised for all the wrong reasons, and settled for unhealthy relationships.

20 was the big flip. I workout 4-5 days a week— not to burn calories, not to fit a certain pair of jeans, but to get stronger. I eat all my meals without restraining myself in order to fuel my body to perform at its full potential. I am studying a field that allows my creative spark to shine. I learned the value of a good night’s sleep, a morning routine, and drinking water, even if it means extra water weight for a day. I fostered the healthiest and strongest relationships, my family ties are unbreakable, and my self respect is at a new record. It goes without saying that I rebranded my habits and values to achieve self-love.

I always thought of myself as gregarious, extroverted, and social. However, over the last year in the real dream life, I have found solace and peace in being alone. Learning to love my introverted side instead of seeing these qualities as a weakness a lotted me power and immense self respect.

I had no other option but to take risks and make big changes, I wasn’t happy with where I was going and complaining is worthless if you are not taking action to make a change.

Now, most of the time, I’m doing pretty damn good. I needed to cut ties and knot new ones that encourage my passion, love, and energy to thrive at its fullest potential. I needed to cater my love towards towards those that reciprocate it. A year and a half ago, I decided I would aim for the implausible. Building health habits and showing up as the highest version of my self has allowed me to become to more resilient and dedicated in everything I do.

If only Shaudeh last summer knew that her life was about to sky rocket.

My biggest advice in creating the dream life, although it sounds trivial, is to take that risk. It’s better to test your limits than play it safe. If you confine yourself to a safety net, you will never uncover your full capability as an individual whether that be academically, emotionally, or socially. A safety net can be a habit, a person, or a set of beliefs that needs breaking. If you do not put yourself in a position to grow, you never will.

The hard truth? You would never have the opportunity if you were not ready.

Even though I have the romantic relationship I always dreamed of, the friendships I always hoped for, the university I crossed my fingers for, and the family bonds that fuel my dreams, there is still so much work to be done.

I fall into the habit of worrying about the past and the future instead of staying in the present. I am still learning to make my mind a priority and a happy place to be. It goes with out saying, we spend the most time in our head. It’s important to make it a good place to be. Staying in the now is my current ambition.

Despite the fact that I preach this advice to others, I struggle to take my own advice. Instead of letting my anxious, yapping mind go on autopilot, I strive to become someone who can take control of these spiraling thoughts and anchor down to calm thoughts. Take going to the grocery store. I never really think about what I am doing when I locate my produce. My mind starts rolling, stressing over my work load and commitments that I am falling behind on. Before I know, I have all my items. Where did the time go?

I made these changes and continue to grow for my past self, my young self. She deserves it all. She deserves nothing less than a mind that stays a happy place, all the time. Re-access your dream life to make sure you are treating yourself with the respect you deserve.

There’s my CV resume.

Much love,

Shaudeh Farjami