By Ilirjana Ronson (Sadria)

I was born in a small little town in North of Albania.
As a little girl, I had dreams, I had purposes but coming from a very traditional country,
I always have felt fearfull to share my dreams and also to really chase after what my heart wants.
Living in Albania since I was born (1978) until 2008, has been an interesting journey, but I always have felt that I still need to be free to express how I feel and also to be who I am. Is part of our culture to care about what everyone thinks also to try and please everyone with our attitude, the way we do things, the way we speak even with what we wear. Now that’s the point I would like to talk about it more.

Outfits, how we present ourselves…

I do remember so well sharing clothes with my sisters even with my cousins and neighbours since we didn’t have enough. Also I remember seeing photos taken in different occasions and often you will see the same shirt that I was wearing, someone else wearing it and you would never guess who was the owner!

Interesting times.

I always have had a passion to look good and this desire is grown over the years and has become something that I think about it in daily basis. Back in Albania, I didn’t have anyone to inspire me, encourage me or help me to pursue this skill that always has been in my mind but because of the fear of being judged, I hardly spoke about it or shared how I have felt about it all these years. I often thought it that what I am thinking could be wrong and when comes to making choices

I always want to make the right choices (At least I try but I am far way from being perfect ). Fast forward, I arrived in Australia, August 2008 since I got married and moved here knowing that it will be worth it since the man that I married was so supportive and I never felt judged so I did shared lots of things including this dream to at somehow be involved in fashion industry and I am grateful for this opportunity to share this with you all as well. Even though fashion is not his thing (if you ask him about sport, he knows lots about it), I felt very supported and my dream that I had as a little girl, started to wake up and I started to build up my wardrobe and continue to match things up, create my own look…

Now I am a big believer that we don’t need to have or spend fortune to look good or to feel good about ourselves. I also believe that as women, no matter where we come from, no matter what our circumstances are, no matter how tall, short or what size we are, we must take care of ourselves and it’s totally possible to feel good about ourselves with just a little effort. As the years add up ( I turned 43 this year), I can confidently say that I feel more confident in myself and good about myself that I have never felt before. All these years since I came in Australia, I have been very encouraged by so many people and constantly reminded that

I have a true gift to match things and with simple things, to put together special outfits and unique looks. I currently work two days a week and to be honest, buying clothes is not my priority but the amazing thing is that if I buy something, I shop with purpose. I do shop in different charity shops for a cause as well not just to add to my wardrobe. Every cent that I spent in those charity shops, I know that I am helping someone and also making a difference. There are so many stories about my wardrobe but two that I wanted to share are these: Few weeks ago I did bought it a pair of leather shoes
for $15 and when I looked online, the same shoes cost $229.

Absolutely bargain!

Another time I wore a dress in a event and everyone looked and mentioned that I am a bit overdressed.
I had to be honest and explain that the dress cost only $1…yes $1 only.I encourage every woman that reads this that is nothing to be ashamed of wearing charity clothing or cheap clothing.You don’t need to have a $2.000 bag to feel good about yourself.I don’t own anything expensive, I just match things up and every time I leave home, I feel good.Is very easy to compare ourselves, our wardrobes, or looks, our sizes of our body with others.

Is very normal but if we keep comparing ourselves to others can be very dangerous and can contribute towards our insecurities.I used to do that all the time and it confused me and comparing made me to constantly question myself.Surrounding myself with the right people and being remained often that I am special and I should never let the small voices to discourage my dreams, I have realised that people that can throw words like ”You are too old to wear that”, “When you reach 40-s life is finished” or “After you have kids, there is no more taking care of ourselves’’ etc, are comments that we should never let affect us and possibly we should never listen.

Is a wrong mentality that I am so grateful that I am completely released by it. Now I want to make it clear that I don’t judge anyone about what they wear etc but I personally as much as I love fashion, I do not compromise my values and my character with going extreme and crossing the line.Took me years to understand that is nothing wrong with looking good, dressing up and taking care of ourselves.

I just wanted to encourage, all the woman that read this: To be themselves, to not feel the need to have permission about every little thing, to start chasing their dreams and to not try to please everyone because on the end of the day, you will never please everyone and your life is yours.

Your happiness matters

By being who you are, by chasing your dreams, by taking care of yourself, by feeling good in your skin, by wearing whatever you feel pretty with it, will make you happy which results being a better mum, a better wife,a better sister, a better friend, a better daughter and an incredible inspiration for the next generation.To all those women that at somehow are struggling to find themselves and to those that everyday is just another day:
Start changing some things and decide to be confident and fearless.

The breakthrough of being happy starts in my mind and in your mind.

Is a decision that we make.

If you are as young as 15 year or as old 85 year old, please remember that you are in that age that you decide to feel, those numbers remain just numbers.

Also just remember one more thing:

You are made for big things, don’t live a small life. Don’t neglect yourself. Is never too late to have dreams,
is never too late to work on your dreams, is never too late to pursue your dreams.You are special, you are unique , you are beautiful.Every moment, where you are, wherever you go always remember this:
Stop being insecure and start being confident. Stop being fearful and start being fearless.Don’t waste anymore time and don’t hide in the corner anymore.

I do need to mention that appearance matters but the most important is that you always wear a smile in your face,let things go and constantly be kind to others no matter what.My heart is always focused on building my character, becoming a better person and making a difference.Dressing up and looking nice is my second priority and it definitely helps to be more presentable and feel more accepted but always remember that who you are matters more.

A good heart, a humble soul, a happy and healthy mind are factors that influence your life and those around you in a very positive way more than anything else.

Just wanted to clarify the priorities :).

You are destined to shine bright.

You have only one life to live – live it to the fullest!

I was born in a small little town in North of Albania.
As a little girl, I had dreams, I had purposes but coming from a very traditional country,
I always have felt fearfull to share my dreams and also to really chase after what my heart wants.
Living in Albania since I was born (1978) until 2008, has been an interesting journey, but I always have felt that I still need to be free to express how I feel and also to be who I am. Is part of our culture to care about what everyone thinks also to try and please everyone with our attitude, the way we do things, the way we speak even with what we wear. Now that’s the point I would like to talk about it more.

Outfits, how we present ourselves…

I do remember so well sharing clothes with my sisters even with my cousins and neighbours since we didn’t have enough. also remember seeing photos taken in different occasions and often you will see the same shirt that I was wearing, someone else wearing it and you would never guess who was the owner!

Interesting times.

I always have had a passion to look good and this desire is grown over the years and has become something that I think about it in daily basis. Back in Albania, I didn’t have anyone to inspire me, encourage me or help me to pursue this skill that always has been in my mind but because of the fear of being judged, I hardly spoke about it or shared how I have felt about it all these years. I often thought it that what I am thinking could be wrong and when comes to making choices

I always want to make the right choices (At least I try but I am far way from being perfect ). Fast forward, I arrived in Australia, August 2008 since I got married and moved here knowing that it will be worth it since the man that I married was so supportive and I never felt judged so I did shared lots of things including this dream to at somehow be involved in fashion industry and I am grateful for this opportunity to share this with you all as well. Even though fashion is not his thing (if you ask him about sport, he knows lots about it), I felt very supported and my dream that I had as a little girl, started to wake up and I started to build up my wardrobe and continue to match things up, create my own look…

Now I am a big believer that we don’t need to have or spend fortune to look good or to feel good about ourselves. I also believe that as women, no matter where we come from, no matter what our circumstances are, no matter how tall, short or what size we are, we must take care of ourselves and it’s totally possible to feel good about ourselves with just a little effort. As the years add up ( I turned 42 this year), I can confidently say that I feel more confident in myself and about myself that I have never felt before. All these years since I came in Australia, I have been very encouraged by so many people and constantly reminded that

I have a true gift to match things and with simple things, to put together special outfits and unique looks. I currently work two days a week and to be honest, buying clothes is not my priority but the amazing thing is that if I buy something, I shop with purpose. I do shop in different charity shops for a cause as well not just to add to my wardrobe. Every cent that I spent in those charity shops, I know that I am helping someone and also making a difference. There are so many stories about my wardrobe but two that I wanted to share are these: Few weeks ago I did bought it a pair of leather shoes
for $15 and when I looked online, the same shoes cost $229.

Absolutely bargain!

Another time I wore a dress in a event and everyone looked and mentioned that I am a bit overdressed.
I had to be honest and explain that the dress cost only $1…yes $1 only.I encourage every woman that reads this that is nothing to be ashamed of wearing charity clothing or cheap clothing.You don’t need to have a $2.000 bag to feel good about yourself.I don’t own anything expensive, I just match things up and every time I leave home, I feel good.Is very easy to compare ourselves, our wardrobes, or looks, our sizes of our body with others.

Is very normal but if we keep comparing ourselves to others can be very dangerous and can contribute towards our insecurities.I used to do that all the time and it confused me and comparing made me to constantly question myself.Surrounding myself with the right people and being remained often that I am special and I should never let the small voices to discourage my dreams, I have realised that people that can throw words like ”You are too old to wear that”, “When you reach 40-s life is finished” or “After you have kids, there is no more taking care of ourselves’’ etc, are comments that we should never let affect us and possibly we should never listen.

Is a wrong mentality that I am so grateful that I am completely released by it.Now I want to make it clear that I don’t judge anyone about what they wear etc but I personally as much that I love fashion, I do not compromise my values and my character with going extreme and crossing the line.Took me years to understand that is nothing wrong with looking good, dressing up and taking care of ourselves.

I just wanted to encourage, all the woman that read this: To be themselves, to not feel the need to have permission about every little thing, to start chasing their dreams and to not try to please everyone because on the end of the day, you will never please everyone and your life is yours.

Your happiness matters

By being who you are, by chasing your dreams, by taking care of yourself, by feeling good in your skin, by wearing whatever you feel pretty with it, will make you happy which results being a better mum, a better wife,a better sister, a better friend, a better daughter and an incredible inspiration for the next generation.To all those women that at somehow are struggling to find themselves and to those that everyday is just another day:
Start changing some things and decide to be confident and fearless.

The breakthrough of being happy starts in my mind and in your mind.

Is a decision that we make.

If you are as young as 15 year or as old 85 year old, please remember that you are in that age that you decide to feel, those numbers remain just numbers.

Also just remember one more thing:

You are made for big things, don’t live a small life. Don’t neglect yourself. Is never too late to have dreams,
is never too late to work on your dreams, is never too late to pursue your dreams.You are special, you are unique , you are beautiful.Every moment, where you are, wherever you go always remember this:
Stop being insecure and start being confident. Stop being fearful and start being fearless.Don’t waste anymore time and don’t hide in the corner anymore.

I do need to mention that appearance matters but the most important is that you always wear a smile in your face,let things go and constantly be kind to others no matter what.My heart is always focused on building my character, becoming a better person and making a difference.Dressing up and looking nice is my second priority and it definitely helps to be more presentable and feel more accepted but always remember that who you are matters more.

A good heart, a humble soul, a happy and healthy mind are factors that influence your life and those around you in a very positive way more thananything else.

Just wanted to clarify the priorities :).

You are destined to shine bright.

You have only one life to live – live it to the fullest!

Meet Ilirjana Ronson (Sadria)

Ilirjana Ronson( Sadria )
Born and raised in Fushe-Arrez, Puke, Albania .
Moved to Australia since 2008.
Occupation: Laboratory technician also Teacher Assistant.

For more inspiration please find me in Instagram @ana_wwjd