We've heard the saying time and time again - nothing good ever came from comfort zones!
Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
This week I want to write about getting uncomfortable. New goals, new challenges and new surroundings will automatically cause a mental shift and you will feel uncomfortable. This is good!! This means that there is about to be new growth in your life and you really should get excited and embrace this season. The feeling of being uncomfortable isn't pleasant because everyday we do seem to be endlessly striving to become a little bit more comfortable. The danger with being comfortable is that you might then get stuck in a place where you don't experience growth, new wisdom or new strength.
As humans we always strive for growth, whether that's being a better parent or getting back into education at an older age, regardless of what it is - growth and change is not comfortable. It requires sacrifice, patience and strength, all of which you have within you. So if you feel comfortable but 'stuck' then it's time to get uncomfortable. If you feel uncomfortable already because you are taking a new step or transitioning in your journey then great...enjoy the process and take each 24 hours as they come!
xoxo Sarah xoxo
This week I've got some inspiration from the lovely Nikita Baffour - established Make Up Artist whose work includes working with the beautiful musician Gladys Knight. You can check out Nikita's Work on Instagram - @Nikitabaffour.
Why are you motivated to do what you do?
My Mother and my background.
My mother and father always told me stories about their background, their upbringing and how it was when they moved from Ghana to Europe in the 80's, and I always admired their strength, their resilience and their genuine passion to give their children a better life.
I was brought up in Hackney, East London and still currently reside here and hackney has always been known as an 'underprivileged area' meaning that you have to work extra hard just to make something of yourself, and for me that was always motivation, knowing that I may no be from the 'best' of areas but pushing hard and making a success of my life to
How do you stay motivated?
I like to write personal goals quite often, to remind myself why I started and how far I have come. I also get a lot of sweet and encouraging messages from young women who seem to believe in me, which is always amazes me and reminds me that I cannot give up as I have so many people who are genuinely rooting for me and I have to be a good example.
I have an amazing support network for which I am grateful for, and I try to stay around like-minded and motivated people.
Have you ever been close to giving it all up?
Truth is, it is very hard, there are days weeks and months even when I am literally struggling, and up until quite recently, I would have said no to this question.
But the truth is, it is very hard, and sometimes you can't seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Work-Life balance is still something I struggle with
But then I remind myself how amazing God has been to me, and I take nothing for granted, I am simply humbled by the grace and favour that God has placed onto my life and it just gives me confidence that God has so much more in store for me, that I can't even think of giving up.
I want to be able to say that I used Everything that God has blessed me with.
What would you want to say to encourage someone else out there?
Never give up, stay humble and work so hard/smart that you can only expect success.
I would also say that you should always strive to be the best at what you do, there may be 101 people in the same field or industry as you, but, if you are good at what you do, people will naturally gravitate towards you,
What/Who is your inspiration?
My mother. She's my best friend, my support system and my very own cheerleader. Even when it doesn't make sense to her, she still supports me and for that I am grateful.
I also have an amazing support system, my friends, family sister in law, they all support me so much
My 'underprivileged background' inspires me, 'I'm just a young girl from Hackney, trying to make it happen
One day I want to be able to say i have inspired my peers to push through every circumstance they were faced with and still come out on top.
What made you get into the makeup industry?
I started doing makeup around 2008, whilst I was at university, for university fashion shows and on my friends also.
I have always been into makeup, Art was my favourite subject in school, and was my creative outlet, likewise the same with makeup.
I am a self taught makeup artist and I actually studied law at university, and although I had hopes of pursuing a career along that path, and working in office setting environments throughout my 20's, I am and always have been a creative at heart.
Makeup for me is more than just a 'face beat', its about enhancing a persons natural beauty, its about making a new mum feel just that extra bit good about themselves.
Now that makeup has evolved, I try and stay in trend, however for me its simply about enhancement and making my clients feel amazing.
What has been your most proud MUA moment to date and why?
Last year in 2016, I had the utmost honour of doing Ms Gladys Knight's makeup, I literally got a phone call whilst I was at work from my friend Venner James, and he said 'Niks, I need you to be at Royal Albert Hall in the next 2 hours'
I remember being so confused, pinching myself thinking is this real, and being so nervous all the way through.
But Ms Knight is one of the most sweetest souls I have ever met and the whole team made me feel so welcome, after that I was asked to come along to 3 more cities to do Ms knights makeup, and I remember sitting with her in Edinburgh (Which the whole team kept pronouncing as 'edin-burg' in their which american accents which was hilarious) and she gave me some very wise words.
She said 'don't ever forget to love and respect others, she said we always have to respect and show love to others and that's humanity' - that for me was a proud moment and I am still ever so grateful for that experience.
Lets see what 2017 holds...
If you get uncomfortable, grow through it!