My life lessons: Madeleine Shaw
1. Positive affirmations work
If I’m walking down the street and my negative inner critic starts up, I’ll say “I’m very good at my job” or “I love and approve of myself”. It really helps.
2. Orthorexia isn’t healthy
It’s not good to be obsessed with eating healthily. Eat well, get your veggies, choose organic when you can, get lots of healthy fats; but go for dinner and choose what you want and don’t be afraid to eat cake once in a while. It really won’t hurt.
3. It’s important to switch-off
Even when you love your work it’s important to take time away from it. I’ll go to the pub with my boyfriend, play cards, watch a movie, get out of town for the weekend, go for a big walk in Richmond park, curl up with a book or watch something on Netflix – I’m loving Orange Is The New Black.
4. Dyslexia doesn’t need to hold you back
The first post I wrote was a recipe for a raw chocolate raspberry tart. I showed Mum and she said, “It’s really nice, but you do realise that you’re talking about a desert rather than a dessert throughout?” There have been quite a few typos along the way, but I don’t let it worry me.
5. Meditate wherever you can
I’ll close my eyes, watch my breath and use the Headspace app. I do it on the train or in a cab, too – there’s nothing to do when you’re in transit, so you may as well be still and have time to just be you.
Madeleine’s latest book, Get The Glow (Orion, £16.99), is available now.
