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12 Ways To Be Your Best Self In 2018

As you may have heard, our 2018 messaging is “New Year, Do You.” We were fed up with hearing “New Year, New You!” because, well, we adore you and all that you embody and you don’t need a “new” you entirely. Of course, we all have things we want to improve upon, we all set goals to try new things, and we try to be the best versions of ourselves we can, but let’s stop for a minute…right now. Write down 5 things you love about yourself, unapologetically. What makes you feel alive? What makes you laugh until your stomach hurts and you have happy tears streaming down your face? What brings you unfiltered joy? Do more of that in 2018.

January may be over, but take any resolutions you set and know that you still have 11 months to get after them. Don’t feel like you’ve failed just because January has come and gone. Don’t fall into the 80% that ditch all their resolutions by the second week of February. We all know that January should be a free pass…we’re exhausted and run down after the holidays and, well, it’s back-to-school and flu season. So, take your vitamins, drink more water, and try these 12 tips to keep doin’ YOU in 2018…

1. As Tony Robbins says, you need to be clear about your WHY and your HOW about any New Year's resolutions you set. If you wrote down new goals and dreams, look at them again and jot down why you want to accomplish them and exactly how you can. For example, if you want to pay off debt, are you going to meet with a financial advisor? Is it realistic for you to pay $800 a month toward what’s owed? Whatever it is, commit to what resources and tools you need to achieve your goals.

2. Journal, journal, journal. This doesn’t have to be something that takes a long time or is a diary of your daily reflections. Have you ever heard of The Five Minute Journal? The concept is that you take 5 minutes out of your day to write down 5 things you’re grateful for, 5 things you enjoyed about your day, and 5 things that could have gone better. This sort of mindfulness can help you feel grateful for what you have and what you love, and release what you don’t.

3. Take time for you - and actually do it. This doesn’t have to cost money on an all-inclusive spa day. This doesn’t have to mean an expensive soul-searching vacation to Tulum (although, we’re into both those things…a mom can dream, right?!) But really, it can mean taking 10 minutes to read a book before bed each night. It can mean committing to getting in a daily workout, or even just going for a quick walk outside each day. It can mean signing up for Body Back. Whatever you feel like your soul needs to recharge and be free…do that. You can even download this mantra to your phone or print it and stick it to your bathroom mirror and aim to read it to yourself each and every day.

4. Spend time with those who make you feel alive - who make you feel like yourself. Is it your family? Your kids? Your best friends? Your mom? Who truly allows you to laugh, cry, vent, smile, or tells you you have something in your teeth? Schedule a mom’s night out. Go to a local DIY class. Plan a family reunion. Surround yourself with those who feel like home or a warm cup of tea on a rainy day.

5. Get involved with your community. Whether you love strolling through a farmers market, trying out lattes around your local neighborhood, volunteering at a food bank or children’s hospital on a weekend, connect, collaborate, and network. Getting out and connecting with your neighborhood and community helps build roots, a sense of comfort, and a sense of home. You may ask how volunteering reflects on you “doing you?” Giving back is one of the most selfless acts for others, but it also fills your own cup, too. Doing good for others and giving back to those in need can help remind you of all the things you’re lucky enough to have that others may not.

6. Send thank you notes - even if they’re just via text. Did someone buy you a sweet gift? Did someone do something kind that was unexpected? Do you want to just tell someone you’re thinking of them? Buy a sweet card and actually (gasp) hand write it! Does that overwhelm you or cause anxiety? We get it. So write a sweet text or send a kind email. Kindness is free, and warms your heart and soul, too.

7. Schedule all the appointments you’ve been avoiding. The yearly pap you dread. The 6-month dental cleaning that’s turned into 2 years. The yearly physical exam at your primary care physician that hasn’t happened since your baby was born. The new therapist your friends referred you to. Call. Schedule. Go. Healthy, happy babies rely on a healthy, happy mama. Your body and your soul depend on making sure you’re staying up-to-date with the appointments that keep us safe, keep us healthy, and keep us living until we’re one hundred and ten. ;)

8. Meditate. We know, we know, it’s like, all the rage…but honestly, it’s scientifically proven by doctors and psychiatrists to help reduce stress and may help lower levels of anxiety and depression, improve attention, concentration, and overall psychological well-being. There are so many apps that make it easy to incorporate into your daily life and allow you to customize which kind of meditations you want to listen to or what you want to focus on. Calm and Headspace are two popular apps, or you can also find some directly via YouTube, like our channel here which has a ton of meditations by our Founding Mama and author of The Empowered Mama, Lisa Druxman, like this Stress Relief Meditation.

9. Create little rituals or a routine for yourself. Therapists are the first to say that adults need routines almost as much as toddlers do. What are little habits you can instill each day without overwhelming yourself? For example, can you start every morning with a glass of warm water and lemon? (this aids digestion, by the way). Can you sneak in a meditation every morning before your kid(s) wake up? Can you enjoy a cup of coffee in peace before the chaos of the day begins? Can you walk on your lunch break at work? Can you wind down with a bedtime routine? Take a warm bath every Wednesday? Read two chapters of a new book per week? You get the gist...small, achievable moments that turn into daily or weekly habits. Then, they'll become the norm, slowly but surely, and we bet that will bring peace and grounding to your week.

10. Get organized, and stay organized. Use a calendar app on your phone that keeps your personal appointments, work schedule, and kids' schedules all in the same place. We love Google Calendar, personally, as you can set reminders, color-code appointments, and view your day, week, or month. We’re also big list-makers and like to write things down also (visual learners over here!) Hack for scoring less expensive planners? Go to TJ MAXX. They always have a ton!

11. Stay hydrated and healthy. Drink plenty of water and get plenty of electrolytes; your body cannot function without them. Eat more greens, choose fruit over candy, choose baked potatoes over chips. Choose sparkling water over soda, or tea over an energy drink. This may sound so basic, but getting back to the simple things that add to our well-being make the biggest difference in our future - and our today. Take your vitamins, get some sunshine, and buy a reusable water bottle.

12. Add creativity into your life. Whether you’re naturally a crafty person, a writer, woodworker, painter, or artist, dedicate more time to being creative this year. In peace. In a space where there are no distractions or things (like tiny people) taking away from your energy. Are you not typically gifted with the art of creativity? Sign up for a class, online or in person, to try something new. Like a macrame workshop or succulent wreath building class. Not into group settings? Plant a garden at your house, or start small by planting a few herbs that will thrive indoors. Sign up to take guitar lessons once a week or try writing a poem. Finding a creative outlet can be a nice way to reconnect with yourself, your artsy side, and your sense of pride.