I can’t believe it’s already the new year in a few days. This year has been so incredibly dreamy. If I could describe this year, it would be put into one word:
Intentional.
This year, I was determined to change my path and to go after my “what if’s”.
It started with what if I devoted myself to veganism? What if I started my own blog? What if I planned a trip to Costa Rica with Myles? What if I devoted my weekend to blogging? What if I said yes to opportunities that scared me? What if I connected with strangers on the internet and met them in real life? What if I started a photography side business? What if I shot a wedding with my brother? What if I started my YouTube channel again?
Those what if’s changed my life. I was intentional and curious and it led me to a place in my life that I couldn’t have imagined myself in before. I’m taking what I’ve learned from this past year and applying it to my big dreams for next year. I hope you can take some of that insight and apply it to 2018.
What I write down below is what I would tell myself a year ago before I entered 2017.
If you need help planning for the new year, the Conscious Planner 2.0 is on sale for $5 until December 30th, 2018. This is what I’m personally using to get myself ready for the new year!
Things That I learned From 2017
1. If you can dream it, you can do it
No dream is too wild for you. Let yourself experiment and don’t let the fear of failing freeze you up. Take action now and just go for it.
2. Muster up the courage to share your creative projects
It’s scary thinking about the people from high school or your family judging you. But here’s my advice: LET IT GO. LET IT GO AND LET IT SNOW (wait that didn’t make sense). But seriously, WHO CARES? What others think of you is none of your business anyways. Do you and the people who are meant to stick around– they will. “Those who matte,r don’t mind and those who mind, don’t matter.”
3. Think about the worst case scenario
This is my favorite way to kick fear’s ass. When I start getting anxious or nervous, I think to myself about the worst case scenario. I then think of solutions and voila— I’m golden. This works because I get clear on what I’m afraid of and call it out. When I do this, I see that what I was anxious about was no big deal and that if I do “fail”, there’s always a solution for it.
4. Reach out to people and connect with community
Expand your circle and get to know strangers. Listen to their stories. Ask them questions about their dreams and what gives them meaning in life. Take the initiate first and cultivate those meaningful friendships because you never know what you can learn.
5. Take care of yourself first
We are never able to fully be present when we are drained and exhausted. We only can give if our cups are 100% full. Whatever makes your heart full and content, do that. If getting your to do list done, taking a bubble bath, facetiming a friend, sleeping in, walking your dog, staying in on a friday night or reading a book make you happy then my goodness, DO THAT. Fill yourself up before you pour into others.
6. Put your health first
Ahhh this goes back to #5 but I can’t highlight this enough, take care of every part of you. Mind, body and soul. If you want to be high performing, if you want to optimize your lifestyle— show up for yourself and take care of the only body that you have. AKA, your temple.
7. Start before you’re ready
Don’t ever wait for the perfect time or permission to start an idea. The fun part is learning as you go : )
8. Enjoy the process
The destination is always over hyped. Since you’re spending 90% of your time in the trenches working for a result, you might as well enjoy it. Listen to yourself and energy level. If it doesn’t feel fun and if it’s stressing you out more than anything, leave it alone for a bit and do something else.
9. H A V E F UN
Don’t take life so serious. There’s going to be a lot of things that will stress you out but choose not to let it get to ya. Don’t let your emotions ruin a perfectly good moment. Laugh it out. Move on and don’t over think it. Have a child-like spirit, we are here for only a limited amount of time anyways : )
In the new year I have a few things that I want to manifest and make a reality. Here are a few:
(btw, this is a bit nerve wrecking to share but here I go anyways)
- be able to afford to buy a condo by the end of 2018
- go on a cruise post graduation with my family
- go on a yoga/health retreat
- make progress in my startup idea 🙂 EEEK!
- balance my hormones and be at my optimal health (more on this in a later post)
- consistently post at least twice a month on YouTube for a year
- partner with some of my favorite companies
Ahhh, and that’s officially a wrap.
Let me know what you want to create in 2018! I’m here cheering you on!
yoga retreats and bubble baths,
Bella
