Hello friends!
This is me on my 22nd birthday 3 years ago. A while ago. Kind of like my last blog post *clears throat*. Okay, let's not get into guilt tripping, Maria. Let's get back into the topic of this post. So, why did I choose this lost forgotten photo above. Hmm, maybe it's because of the thought of setting New Year's resolutions and the bit of angst that comes with that. Maybe it's because of the upcoming cold that Texas is just now getting. I am just not down with the cold.
This is me on my 22nd birthday 3 years ago. A while ago. Kind of like my last blog post *clears throat*. Okay, let's not get into guilt tripping, Maria. Let's get back into the topic of this post. So, why did I choose this lost forgotten photo above. Hmm, maybe it's because of the thought of setting New Year's resolutions and the bit of angst that comes with that. Maybe it's because of the upcoming cold that Texas is just now getting. I am just not down with the cold.
Or maybe it's because I'm wearing that horrible cheetah sweater/cardigan thing. No, it wasn't a gift. I actually bought that. Happy to report now that it has since then been donated. (Whew).
In all seriousness, I did choose this photo because it perfectly captures the way I feel about New Year's resolutions. Why? See, I'm sort of smiling in this photo. Because I'm kind of excited at the prospect of the new year and setting goals and intentions to become a "better me." Whatever that means. I'm also grimacing in this photo like I just opened a gift I'm not digging. ("Oh, a giant white tiger stuffed animal. I'm 25. Thanks, grandma.") This perfectly describes my overwhelm by all the emails, inspirational posts, and articles that my spiritual, fitness, beauty, health, life coaches and gurus post. While, they are meant to help and get you to start the year up and running with ideas about end-of-year rituals, why resolutions don't work ("Try intention setting instead! No, come here. Do SMART goals. Even better!), all of these posts from my beloved online gurus just have me straight up exhausted.
As the overachiever I tend to be, I want to do all of it! This is one of the downsides to being on social media. I want to do all of the challenges, all of the end-of-year rituals, all of the different ways to set goals for the new year, all of the reading of these posts. Don't get me wrong. I love me some Gabrielle Bernstein, Tone It Up team, Kris Carr, Danielle LaPorte, Elephant Journal, etc. But when it comes to me all at once, I'm all like, "aaaah!"
So, here's my advice to you, friend. And I am saying this to you, so that I say it to myself. Just do whatever the hell you want to do! Do whatever feels good to you for New Year's. (Shout-out to Yoga with Adriene for that motto). You know, I might take bits and pieces of advice/ideas from everyone, but mostly I am taking advice from myself. You might keep it super simple and just write your goals on a piece of paper, stick 'em up on a mirror, and bam! You're done. Maybe you don't feel like doing anything at all. Maybe you'll do some yoga. Pray. Meditate. Drink a glass (or bottle) of wine and goodbye 2015. Thank you for having me and nice to have experienced ya!
Below is what I've done this week and what I am doing for New Year's Eve today and I am okay with this because it is my own.
One last note! These are my New Year's resolutions/intentions/goals for 2016. Sharing is fun. :)
And there it is. I am being kinder to myself, others, and the environment. Please, consider doing the same. But mostly, start with you. Because if you are not well and taken care of and nurtured and well-fed and happy, then it is harder to spread those things out into the world. You are doing so good and you are going to do great. You just got it believe it, yo.
Sending much love to you,
Maria <3
In all seriousness, I did choose this photo because it perfectly captures the way I feel about New Year's resolutions. Why? See, I'm sort of smiling in this photo. Because I'm kind of excited at the prospect of the new year and setting goals and intentions to become a "better me." Whatever that means. I'm also grimacing in this photo like I just opened a gift I'm not digging. ("Oh, a giant white tiger stuffed animal. I'm 25. Thanks, grandma.") This perfectly describes my overwhelm by all the emails, inspirational posts, and articles that my spiritual, fitness, beauty, health, life coaches and gurus post. While, they are meant to help and get you to start the year up and running with ideas about end-of-year rituals, why resolutions don't work ("Try intention setting instead! No, come here. Do SMART goals. Even better!), all of these posts from my beloved online gurus just have me straight up exhausted.
As the overachiever I tend to be, I want to do all of it! This is one of the downsides to being on social media. I want to do all of the challenges, all of the end-of-year rituals, all of the different ways to set goals for the new year, all of the reading of these posts. Don't get me wrong. I love me some Gabrielle Bernstein, Tone It Up team, Kris Carr, Danielle LaPorte, Elephant Journal, etc. But when it comes to me all at once, I'm all like, "aaaah!"
So, here's my advice to you, friend. And I am saying this to you, so that I say it to myself. Just do whatever the hell you want to do! Do whatever feels good to you for New Year's. (Shout-out to Yoga with Adriene for that motto). You know, I might take bits and pieces of advice/ideas from everyone, but mostly I am taking advice from myself. You might keep it super simple and just write your goals on a piece of paper, stick 'em up on a mirror, and bam! You're done. Maybe you don't feel like doing anything at all. Maybe you'll do some yoga. Pray. Meditate. Drink a glass (or bottle) of wine and goodbye 2015. Thank you for having me and nice to have experienced ya!
Below is what I've done this week and what I am doing for New Year's Eve today and I am okay with this because it is my own.
- To deal with the overflow of emails I am concentrating on my gurus that I love most because I've followed them the longest (or maybe I just connect with them a little more). This includes Dana Gatziolis (my health/life coach), the Tone It Up girls Karena and Katrina, and Yoga with Adriene. They're on the top of my list. And if I don't get to other emails. Then, that's okay! Because I have spiritual, emotional, physical, and food wellness right here with these girls.
- I'm going to do yoga. It's not going to be pretty, because I have been without yoga for a month now. No reason why really. I just haven't pulled out my mat. But, it's going to get done and I'm going to feel great afterwards. ;)
- I am going to watch movies with my family, eat, hug, and love 'em all up. :)
- Write my New Year's resolutions. That's right. I am going to set New Year's resolutions even though I've read countless articles about how that just sets you up for self-sabotage from the beginning. But I love 'em. I love having them taped to my mirror and seeing them everyday. I love how last year I set a resolution and I actually stuck with it. And when I feel guilty about not completing something on the list. I let it go and forgive myself. (Look at me! I've actually grown this year. You go, me!)
- Pray. At the end of the day I'm going to feel all of my gratitude for this amazing year that brought me such good, forgive what was and was not, and I am going to pray for the year to come and that God, the universe, life, love will bring me all wonderful and needed opportunities to grow, love, and be kind.
One last note! These are my New Year's resolutions/intentions/goals for 2016. Sharing is fun. :)
- Move my body everyday for at least 30 minutes (even if it is just a light walk). I am starting this beauty by following along Yoga with Adriene's Yoga Camp and the TIU Team 8-week Challenge. It's going to be freakin' awesome.
- Try at least one new vegetarian recipe every week. (I'll keep you guys up-to-date on my new vegetarian lifestyle).
- Blog, blog, blog. Okay, to be more specific. I am aiming for one blog post a week. I am pushing for consistency here. (You can do it, Maria!)
- Read. Get your knowledge on, girl! I love to read, but always push it to the back burner. So this year I am concentrating on reading at least one new book every month, which sadly will be 9 more than I read this year. I know. Please, don't judge me.
- Continue working for a cruelty-free/non-toxic life by switching to kinder products when I am done with the last of the products I have. I have actually been doing great with this one for the last year.
And there it is. I am being kinder to myself, others, and the environment. Please, consider doing the same. But mostly, start with you. Because if you are not well and taken care of and nurtured and well-fed and happy, then it is harder to spread those things out into the world. You are doing so good and you are going to do great. You just got it believe it, yo.
Sending much love to you,
Maria <3