The Non Negotiable List -The List All Women Need!

Hi Everyone,

OK I admit it, I LOVE  a list! I love being organised and being an ex PA I used to spend half my time writing lists and working my way through ticking everything off. I found it so satisfying to get to the end and know I’d got everything done!

So when I read about the Non Negotiable List on Laura’s blog Life With Baby Kicks and on Kate’s Blog over at Pouting in Heels I knew I was on to a winner!

OK so what is a Non Negotiable List I hear you ask! It’s a list all about you; the things that are important to you, that make you smile and yet you never have the time to do, but you should. Because these are things that will make you feel good, relaxed, they will make you smile and they are non-negotiable! They will happen, you’ll be making sure of that!  Only you can take charge of your own happiness and by making sure you take a little time for yourself each day and sticking to your list you’ll feel satisfied and not cause you’ve ticked a chore off your list, cause it’s not like that. It’ll be because you’re happy; the things on your list are things that will make you happy and brighten up your day!

Making yourself a priority is empowering. For us Mums, the baby is ALWAYS the number one priority. We forget about ourselves and the little things that make our day. This is why the list is NON negotiable – it’s all about rewarding yourself, reminding yourself what you’re worth and not having to compromise.  It doesn’t matter if these things are deep and meaningful, or a bit more light hearted and just one of lifes little pleasures, if it’s important to you then you dedicate yourself to it!

So here is my list and why these things are non negotiable to me!

Flowers every week are a must! 

OK now this is one Kate had on her list and it is one I totally agree with. I am borderline obsessed with flowers, I love them. I think they brighten up a house so much and everytime you see them it makes you smile. So my first Non Negotiable is to make sure we have fresh flowers in our house every week.

30 Minutes of Alone Time 

This is something I make sure I stick to every day. I love Josh, and my husband, more than anything in the world but every day I love to have a bit of time to myself. I tend to do it in the form of a bubble bath, with a book. It’s that bit of time where I can switch off, and relax and it keeps me sane.

Personal Grooming….

First of all, my toenails must always be painted!! This is something I am fanatical about. To the point of me desperately trying, and just about succeeding, to paint them the day before I went in to labour. I have little feet and I like them to look cute.

And on another personal grooming note, a tidy bikini line is a definite non negotiable! There is no excuse for letting things get out of control down there. This may sound shallow of me, but it is on my list as it’s important to me. Again, even when pregnant and having to thrash about in the bath whilst I was the size of a walrus to tidy things up, I was determined.

Vitamins 

It is definitely a non negotiable to make sure I don’t forget to take my vitamins every morning especially whilst I am breastfeeding!

Cosy Bed 

It doesn’t cost a penny to make your bed in the morning! Isn’t it lovely to get into a cosy, well made bed at the end of a busy day. No matter how busy I am, the bed must always be made!

Banish Negative Vibes 

One thing I’ve learnt over the last couple of years is that if you have people around you that radiate positivity they rub off on you; they motivate you and boost your confidence. There is very little that is better than being surrounded by people who make you feel good about yourself. So if you find yourself around negative people, bringing you down with their dramas, making you feel drained or bad about yourself or talking down to you, banish them. You don’t need negativity – it gets you no where but down!

Handbags

I’ve always loved handbags! I couldn’t be without them. So when I had the baby I was sad to hear lots of ladies say they never really use handbags again, they just use their changing bags. I got a beautiful changing bag when I was pregnant which I love, but it wasn’t my handbag and I knew I’d still want to use one. And I have, as have a couple of my fellow mummy friends. I know some of you may think I am mad, why would I want to cart two bags around, but my handbag is mine, it’s full of my necessities and things that I like to have with me and I am glad to say I am still happily using mine, along with my changing bag. A definite non negotiable for me.

Always be a girls girl

It’s always good to be a girls girl, and I really am one. There is no need to indulge in unnecessary bitching, or allow yourself to be intimidated by other women’s opinions if it’s not what you agree with. Be a strong independent woman but also, support the sisterhood! If another girl compliments your top and asks where you got it, take it as a compliment and tell her, don’t tell a fib cause you don’t want to be copied!

Spread the Love 

I make sure I tell Sam I love him and am grateful for him every day. He is amazing and I like telling him this every day. Because it doesn’t matter how many times your other half says it, it’s always wonderful to be told you’re loved.

Bubbles

A fun final one – always have a bottle of bubbly in the fridge. You never know where the next celebration is coming from!

I hope you enjoyed this fun little post.

xxx