THE ART of BEING YOURSELF
BE INSPIRED TO CHANGE YOUR MINDSET THIS YEAR, WITH MAGNUM ICE CREAM
As an adult, can you ever really be fearless? We live in a world where nothing is certain; where we are constantly told how to behave. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to express yourself within the confines of these expectations. But you can. It might seem scary, but that’s OK. We will all experience fear at some point. It means something different to everyone, so instead of trying to give you a set formula to combat it, ELLE has teamed up with Magnum ice cream, a brand that champions being true to who you are and pursuing what brings you pleasure, to remind you that the art of fearlessness is really the art of being yourself.
Need inspiration? Look to the creative industry’s rising talent, who are leading by example. Rapper Dave strives to challenge perceptions of what it means to be young and black in Britain today (see his viral BRIT Awards performance as proof). Fashion designer Bethany Williams collaborates with charities to provide work for disadvantaged people, proving that creativity and social responsibility can go hand in hand. Then there’s Precious Adams, the African-American ballet dancer who started a movement by championing her own skin tone and choosing to wear brown, flesh-coloured tights to perform, helping other dancers realise they could, too. These are just three inspiring figures you may remember from The ELLE List last year, who are still going against the grain to effect real change.
But not all acts of fearlessness need to be on such a huge scale. Think back to when you were younger, when everything seemed possible. What did you want? Whether it’s a business you dreamed of running or a skill you wish you had learnt, start brainstorming ways to make it happen, writing down every idea that comes into your head. Or call a friend to talk through your thoughts. Now more than ever, it’s so important for us all to stay connected. It’s time to identify your fears and embark upon a journey towards accepting them. Everyone shares in this emotion, but what sets us apart is how we deal with it. Becoming ‘fearless’ doesn’t mean you have to change the world – just how you see it. Then you’ll realise the only thing that’s been holding you back is you. But not any more. Today is the start of a new adventure. A life true to pleasure. Embrace it.
Need more inspiration? Keep an eye out for The ELLE List, in partnership with Magnum, featuring the rising talent living fearlessly in 2020
“NOW MORE THAN EVER, IT’S SO IMPORTANT FOR US ALL TO STAY CONNECTED”