Happy New Year my friends!!!!!

Listen to me, I am so excited about this year and I have no idea why?!? Well yes I do! I’m expecting GREATER things in 2019 and it’s my plan to do some things a little different.

I know that everyone is all about being new in the New Year and that is great! We should always have something that we’re working on or towards to make ourselves better.

If you follow me on Instagram, then you’ll know I did a picture recap of 2018 which was a great year. As I stated in my stories, the latter part of the year was really hard for us. I struggled pretty bad with a hormonal imbalance which caused me to have terrible anxiety, my mom was also admitted to the hospital for a few days the week before my birthday and it was the same week of my finals!

Talk about exhausting!!

BUT BUT BUT, It’s a BRAND NEW YEAR and a fresh start!

I truly believe that if it had not been for some of the wellness routines and self care measures I had put in place, I probably would’ve been in worse shape.

Today I wanted to offer you a few tips that I cultivated last year as I thought they could help you to also have your best year yet! If you’re looking to change your lifestyle, eating habits or just develop personally then I hope this will help you on your journey!

1. Begin.

The hardest part to getting started is usually getting started. Whatever it is that you want to do, just go right ahead and do it and figure out the rest later.

2. Don’t Compare Your Journey or Yourself To Anyone.

Each one of us are on a specific journey. Mine doesn’t look like yours and yours doesn’t look like mine. They may have some similarities, but each journey is unique and specifically designed just for you. Don’t compare. You never know what a person may have had to endure or lose to be where they are. Trust where God has you. Trust in His timing for your life and mind yours. I promise when you water your own grass, you are so much more content.

3. Develop The Art of Saying No!

Listen to me!!!! I have been the No queen the past couple of years and it’s so freeing!! You have to set healthy boundaries, especially if you’re a giver like myself. People will take and take as long as you allow them to. Let’s break that cycle and learn how to say no.

4. Practice & Prioritize Self-Care

This is something I started developing a few years back and I haven’t regretted it. When my kids were a little younger, I used to feel a little bad for taking time out for myself, now I realize it’s a must. In order to take care of everyone else and keep home and life functional, I have to take time out to fill myself back up. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying you can’t pour from an empty cup and this much is true. Self care looks different for many people and it’s not all bubble baths and Mani Pedi’s either! (even though these are good ones!) Sometimes self care is cleaning your room or decluttering so you’ll feel better or taking a shower and washing your hair when you’d rather just lay around. We’ll get more into self care as the year goes on.

5. Move Your Body

Y’all knew this would be apart of the list!!! Studies have shown that just 30 minutes of movement a day consistently can drastically improve your health. Find a activity that you enjoy that gets your heart rate going in a good way! Y’all know all about my journey and like I stated before, if it wasn’t for working out the way I do, I believe that my hormonal stuff would’ve been even worse. You’ll feel so much better, you’ll have more energy and those good endorphins get released that cause you to be a much nicer person to be around! Trust me! That moves us right to the next one…

6. Eat Healthy

There is no point in working out and moving your body if your diet is trash. You’re wasting your workouts and your time. Just being honest here. Does that mean you can’t eat junk every once in a while or have a cheat meal?!? Of course not, but try to aim for 80% clean eating and cut back on the sugar and cut out processed foods. Your body and your mind will thank you!

Also, if you slip up like we all do, don’t beat yourself up, just get back on track!

7. Do Something Creative

I don’t think I need to elaborate on this one. Even if you think you’re not creative (which isn’t true) do something anyway. If you are a creative, challenge yourself to do something different. You’re going to see me alot more over here. This blog is my creative outlet and I’m determined to consistently do what I love!

8. Do Something That Scares You!

Whewwww!!!! This one here! I got scurrrred just thinking about it ha!!!! However, I’m going to do it anyway and so should you. Whatever your “IT” is, let’s make this the year to do it.

9. Go To Bed at a Decent Hour

This has worked wonders for my mood. I’m a night owl, but I’m also an early riser. Going to bed at least by 10pm has been great. I feel so much more rested in the mornings. I have to wind down before I go to bed also, but we’ll chat more about that later.

10. Wake Up a Little Earlier

This goes hand in hand with going to bed at a certain time. For me, waking up earlier helps me to be more productive and I have more quiet time in the morning to settle myself, pray, do a daily study or devotional before anyone wakes up.

So that’s that!! I hope that you found this post helpful and practical. All of these things are things that I have been more intentional about implenting and it has definitely helped me improve personally. They are apart of my lifestyle now! I’ll be looking to do more this year!

Here’s to greater intentional living and loving in this new year!

What lifestyle changes or personal development are you looking to cultivate this year?