Pausing to stop and look at the view

A reflective journal entry... 🌞

I’m in a lovely sweet place of reflection these days. I’m under 2 months before the book launches, but I’m also 2 months since I announced my departure from Isle of Paradise.

For the majority of my career I’ve been contracted to a beauty brand in one way or another.

Before IOP, I was a brand ambassador for St. Tropez, and for a short period of time an ambassador for Tan Luxe. Incredible brands, great career opportunities, no regrets.

During this time I’ve always been front facing – doing press interviews, talking on camera, hosting events. Being under a contract means there’s a level of financial stability, an access to greater opportunities, travel, and a ladder of sorts to climb. Again… no regrets.

While under the brand contracts there were stipulations to being a brand face which in turn meant there were certain things I could and couldn’t say. For example, I have been warned against having braces for my teeth, as my boss at the time told me I wouldn’t be able to talk on camera with them, I wouldn’t be ‘on brand’. There are endless examples of this, and most of the time I had no problem complying with contractual exclusivities.

My personal brand (i.e. me) had to adapt to the general ethos of the brand I was signed to. I had to ‘fit’.

For the first time in what feels like forever, I am no longer in a contract of any sort. I have complete flexibility and fluidity in who I want to be and I can truly be my most authentic self.

Fucking Fabulous! I’m leaning in.

At times it’s feeling great, other times daunting - but it’s part of my journey and I’m internally exploring. I need to let go of my inner rule book and learn how to spread my wings as wide as they will go ❤️

There are certain tasks I do at home that flood my brain with ideas. Having a shower being one. I know taking a shower and it sparking ideas has been scientifically researched into why this happens, it’s something to do with the sound and sensation of the water hitting your skin that makes ideas POP. I don’t want to spend all day in the shower so I’ve found other that other tasks also bring the ideas - folding up the laundry or emptying the dishwasher. Do you have any?

I earmark these moments in my day to have a break from my screen and let the creative energy just whirl around my head for a bit. It’s almost like putting my brain in neutral and letting the thoughts bubble up the surface.

In society we’re told so much about who to be and how to strive for more – grow, climb, rise, keep pushing. Where’s the bit about pause and be content with how far you’ve come?

While I believe life is about exploration and experience of newness, I also believe that it’s about reflection and inner wisdom. Rather than being at go-go-go all the time pace, what about putting yourself into neutral and getting off the treadmill for a bit? Catching your breath I guess!

While I know and appreciate the constant push in life, don’t overlook the pause. You don’t have to always be the best, you don’t have to win the race if you don’t want to, the most important thing is that you’re enjoying it.

I’m now telling myself I don’t have climb the highest mountain. Of course, I’m always going to be climbing a mountain of sorts, but I need to remember to stop and take in the view every now and again.

What do you think? Are we conditioned to push, or are we taught how to pause and I’ve completely missed it?!

I’m really enjoying these weekly journal style Substacks team, thanks for being with me as I open up, unwind and download you on what’s whirring around in my head atm! Appreciate YOU!

Love Always XX Jules

If you’re new here, I take a selfie whenever I’ve finished a piece. More for me than anything else! Here’s what I looked like at the exact time of publish :)