When 2017 started, I dug my toes in and braced myself for what I thought was going to be a ridiculously long, and frankly, challenging year. Being present in my life has allowed me to appreciate life in “real-time”, AKA the present moment. It is crazy to reflect back on the last year and realize how incredibly fast the time went by, even with being present.

So here we are, on the cusp of a brand New Year. I have already started seeing ads for gym membership discounts, listicles on the internet documenting the TOP TEN WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT THIS NEW YEAR. And it grosses me out, loves. There is nothing wrong with having a healthy relationship with “New Year’s Resolutions”, but I think it’s fair to say most people don’t. Like other monumental women’s movements this year, including the Women’s March, and the Me Too movement, I want to take back the shame surrounding the New Years holiday. I want to see a year dedicated to unconditional self-love and self-care, free from punishment and judgment.

I know this isn’t going to happen overnight. But we can move towards this change! One of the first things I personally have taken on is to refrain from calling resolutions just that. I am now calling them “Goals”. Doesn’t that sound way less intimidating and way more plausible?! Step one – remove the shame that surrounds the holiday.

I also want to briefly mention, we can set goals any day of the year that we want. I know that the New Year feels like a refreshing time to start, but the fact that it is so culturally acceptable to fail at these specific goals can set us up with the mindset that we are destined to fail.  

I wanted to share a few ways to embrace the New Year in a positive way, whether that means you’re setting goals for the New Year or if you aren’t. Women are on an upward momentum right now, let’s embrace ourselves and keep this momentum going.

Ways to Maintain A Positive Mindset

• Surround yourself with positive people! Misery does love company, so come prepared with a healthy supportive tribe.
• Physically smile when you are feeling negative. This recommendation is bizarre, and I would only recommend it if it actually works. There have been times when I look goofy with a huge smile on my face but the immediate effect it has on your mood is undeniable. 
• Think about your happy place. There is something so simple about maintaining a fresh perspective that can help keep your mindset in check. I know it’s difficult to think about the others that are less fortunate than yourself when you are in a negative attitude, so start with a time when you were feeling happy. Bring yourself back to that joy and remember that everything is temporary.
• Check the negative self-talk! Once it’s ingrained in yourself it’s hard to stop the negative talk. Bounce every negative thought you can with a positive one. EX: My legs look huge today! Correction: These legs could carry me miles, and through dance-offs, if I ask them to!

Healthy Ways to Achieve Those Goals

• Write down your goals – The act of putting goals on paper is a way to set accountability for yourself.
• Journal how you are feeling. Sometimes we lose touch with what’s really going on in our heads; journaling can allow us to process our thoughts in a more concise way.
• Read Gretchin Rubin’s book, The Four Tendencies. She discusses how everyone is one of four personality types and how to create habits that will last based on your personality type.
• Share your goals with others. If you feel comfortable and have a positive support system to do so, this can help you maintain accountability too. Especially if you implement the buddy system and work towards a goal together.
• Don’t be scared to not meet expectations. It may happen, and the best thing we can do is change our attitude on how we handle these situations.

Self-Care Tips

• Try Chromotherapy. With the shorter days, chromotherapy and light therapy can give you some much needed Vitamin D.
• Try Infrared saunas. This type of sauna is great for those who suffer from chronic pain. Infrared saunas also help the body by increasing the detoxification process and improving circulation. And sometimes it nice to just be alone in a chamber of wonderful heat and light.
  
• Practice gratitude. This comes up often, but it’s important to remember what we have right now to be grateful for. Upon waking in the morning, write or think about three things that you are grateful for that  only have to do with yourself. Then progress towards the outward things in your life you are grateful for.
• Don’t set New Year’s Goals. If you aren’t feeling mentally or physically in a place where you think this will be a good idea, JUST DON’T DO IT <3
• Taking care of your health issues in an active, healthy, sustainable way. This can be as simple as looking at your life in a more holistic way. Instead of “thirty days to fit”, what are more longterm solutions to help maintain a positive mindset, wellbeing, and balance long-term?
• Address any realistic physical imperfections that are messing with your confidence, like taking care of acne. Check Out – Clear Skin Unlocked.
• For finally addressing your PCOS – PCOS Unlocked.
• For tips on healthy, sustainable weight loss – Weight Loss Unlocked.
• Check out my process of learning to love myself and the lessons I encountered in my book, Sexy By Nature (find it here).

I share even more tips on self-love and specifically on emotional eating – in this post.

I know this year will be a successful one. Remember, it is okay to not set New Years Goals. It’s also okay to fail if you do set goals. We are all human, let’s remember that! Wishing you lots of luck on your journey towards positive mindset and self-care this year. You are worthy of self-love and care, as much as anyone.

<3